FL H6513

Osceola County School Board is authorized to pay $3.5 million to Kareem Hawari as compensation for a traumatic brain injury suffered during a school-sponsored wrestling match on March 5, 2010.

The injury resulted from negligent supervision by school coaches who failed to provide proper training, adequate instruction, or appropriate athlete matching, causing Hawari to suffer a brainstem hemorrhage affecting his motor coordination and speech.

Hawari incurred $708,309.92 in medical expenses, is permanently and totally disabled, and received prior compensation of $100,000 under state liability limits; the $3.5 million payment is part of a $3.6 million total settlement agreement.

Attorney fees and lobbying fees paid from this appropriation may not exceed $875,000, and costs or other similar expenses may not exceed $9,961.51.

This payment constitutes sole compensation for all present and future claims arising from the injuries described in the act.