FL H3547

Palm Beach County is authorized to pay $101,800 to Javier Soria as compensation for injuries sustained in a April 17, 2007 motorcycle accident caused by negligence of county employee Juan Sepeda Casas, who failed to stop at a stop sign while operating a dump truck.

Soria sustained severe injuries including head trauma, subarachnoid hemorrhage, right-elbow fracture, deep lacerations, multiple abrasions, back pain, disc herniation, and right-knee tear requiring multiple surgeries and ongoing treatment, with total economic damages exceeding $1.3 million.

Medical experts assigned Soria a 31 percent neurological impairment rating and 39 percent orthopedic disability impairment rating; he suffers from permanent cognitive impairment, post-traumatic stress disorder, memory loss, and chronic pain limiting his daily activities.

Palm Beach County previously paid $200,000 under statutory liability limits and $1,800 in property damage; the $101,800 appropriation under this act, combined with prior payments, constitutes sole compensation for all present and future claims arising from the accident.

Attorney fees, lobbying fees, costs, and similar expenses related to this claim are limited to 25 percent of the total amount awarded under the act; the act takes effect upon becoming law.