FL S0082

Authorizes the Osceola County School Board to appropriate $3.5 million to compensate Kareem Hawari for injuries sustained during a school-sponsored wrestling match on March 5, 2010.

Hawari, then 13 years old, suffered a brainstem hemorrhage and traumatic brain injury when he hit his head during a wrestling match supervised by inadequately trained coaches who negligently matched him with a larger, more experienced opponent.

Combined with $100,000 already paid under state liability limits, the total settlement reaches $3.6 million to cover Kareem's medical expenses ($708,309.92), permanent total disability, pain and suffering, and ongoing care needs.

Limits attorney fees to no more than 25 percent of the total award amount and designates the combined payments as sole compensation for all present and future claims related to the incident.

Takes effect upon becoming law.