FL S0042

Palm Beach County is authorized to appropriate and pay $101,800 to Javier Soria as compensation for injuries sustained in a April 17, 2007 motorcycle accident caused by negligence of a Palm Beach County employee.

The accident occurred when a Palm Beach County dump truck driver failed to stop at a stop sign, colliding with and dragging Soria's motorcycle approximately 12 feet, resulting in severe head trauma, fractures, lacerations, and multiple injuries requiring ongoing medical treatment.

Soria sustained permanent cognitive impairment, neurological injuries, and orthopedic disabilities with doctors assigning him a 31 percent neurological impairment rating and 39 percent orthopedic disability rating, with total economic damages exceeding $1.3 million.

The $101,800 payment, combined with the $200,000 already paid by Palm Beach County under statutory liability limits and an $1,800 property damage claim, constitutes full compensation for all present and future claims arising from the accident.

Attorney fees, lobbying fees, costs, and other similar expenses relating to this claim are limited to a maximum of 25 percent of the total amount awarded under the act.