FL H3531

On November 4, 2010, Matthew Robinson (age 10) and Mark Robinson (age 12) were struck by a Lynx bus at a crosswalk in Kissimmee; Matthew was killed and Mark was severely injured when the bus driver failed to yield to pedestrians.

The Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority admitted liability and settled the lawsuit for $3.2 million; the authority already paid $200,000 under statutory liability limits and is authorized to pay an additional $3 million from unappropriated funds.

The $3 million payment is distributed as follows: $821,838.99 to Sharon Robinson (mother), $61,250.00 to Warren Robinson (father), and $1,308,481.67 to Mark Robinson placed in trust; attorney fees reduced to $58,529.34 (3 percent of first $1 million, 2.5 percent of remainder).

Total attorney fees, lobbying fees, costs, and similar expenses may not exceed 25 percent of the $3 million award; combined with the previous $200,000 payment, this settlement constitutes sole compensation for all present and future claims arising from the incident.

The act takes effect upon becoming law.