FL H6517

City of St. Petersburg must pay $2.3 million to Heriberto A. Sanchez-Mayen for injuries sustained on June 8, 2023, when a police transport officer placed him unsecured in a van, causing him to be thrown into the bulkhead during a sudden stop

Mr. Sanchez-Mayen suffered catastrophic injuries including cervical vertebra fractures, aorta dissection, and spinal cord compression, resulting in amputation of both legs above the knees and incomplete quadriplegia

The City previously paid $200,000 under Florida's sovereign immunity cap (s. 768.28), with this claim bill authorizing payment of the remaining $2.3 million from a $2.5 million settlement reached on March 12, 2025

Attorney fees are capped at 25% of the total amount awarded under this act

Payment constitutes sole compensation for all present and future claims arising from this incident; act takes effect upon becoming law