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FL H6509

CL

Status

Failed

4/30/2021

Primary Sponsor

Rene Plasencia

Click for details

Origin

House of Representatives

2021 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Osceola County School Board is authorized and directed to pay $3.5 million to Kareem Hawari for injuries sustained during a school-sponsored wrestling match on March 5, 2010, when he was 13 years old
  • Hawari suffered a brainstem hemorrhage and traumatic brain injury after hitting his head during the match, resulting in permanent impairment to his motor coordination and ability to speak, rendering him permanently and totally disabled
  • Injuries were caused by negligent supervision of coaches who lacked formal training, failed to provide adequate instruction, and matched Hawari against a larger, stronger, and more experienced opponent who was a county champion wrestler
  • The parties settled the case for $3.6 million total, of which $100,000 was already paid under the statutory sovereign immunity cap in s. 768.28, Florida Statutes, with the remaining $3.5 million requiring legislative approval
  • Attorney fees are capped at 25% of the total amount awarded, and the payment constitutes sole compensation for all present and future claims arising from the incident

Legislative Description

Relief/Kareem Hawari/Osceola County School Board

Last Action

Died in Civil Justice & Property Rights Subcommittee

4/30/2021

Committee Referrals

Civil Justice and Property Rights Subcommittee2/22/2021

Full Bill Text

No bill text available