FL S0050

Palm Beach County is authorized to appropriate and pay $100,000 to Javier Soria as compensation for injuries sustained in an April 17, 2007 motorcycle accident caused by a Palm Beach County dump truck driver who failed to stop at a stop sign.

Javier Soria sustained severe injuries including head trauma with subarachnoid hemorrhage, right-elbow fracture, multiple lacerations and abrasions, and spinal injuries requiring numerous surgical procedures and ongoing medical treatment.

Soria's medical experts assigned him a 34 percent neurological impairment rating and 53 percent orthopedic disability rating, with total economic damages exceeding $1.3 million including past and future medical expenses and lost earnings.

Attorney fees, lobbying fees, costs, and other similar expenses related to this claim may not exceed 25 percent of the $100,000 award, with the payment intended to provide sole compensation for all present and future claims against Palm Beach County arising from this incident.

The act takes effect upon becoming law.