FL H3545

City of Tampa directed to appropriate and pay $17,828,800 to Ramiro Companioni for injuries sustained in a November 22, 1996 motorcycle accident caused by negligence of city Water Department employee Faustino Pierola

Hillsborough County jury on March 26, 2004 found City of Tampa 90 percent at fault and awarded total damages of $17,928,800; City has paid only $100,000 (sovereign immunity limit), leaving $17,828,800 balance

Companioni suffered catastrophic injuries including coma, internal organ damage requiring colostomy, spinal fractures, severed sciatic nerve, and permanent disability that ended his career as an executive chef

Attorney fees, lobbying fees, and related costs may not exceed 25 percent of the awarded amount

This award constitutes sole compensation for all present and future claims arising from the accident; act takes effect upon becoming law