FL S0016

Directs the City of St. Petersburg to pay $2.3 million to Heriberto A. Sanchez-Mayen for injuries sustained during a June 8, 2023 incident involving police transport

On June 8, 2023, Mr. Sanchez-Mayen was arrested for trespassing while lawfully present in a daytime-only park, placed unsecured in a transport van without a seatbelt, and thrown headfirst into the bulkhead when the officer stopped short

The transport officer dragged the motionless Mr. Sanchez-Mayen from the van by his feet, causing additional head trauma; injuries included cervical fractures, aortic dissection, and spinal cord compression resulting in bilateral above-knee amputations and incomplete quadriplegia

The City of St. Petersburg previously paid $200,000 under the sovereign immunity cap in s. 768.28, Florida Statutes, with the $2.3 million representing the remaining settlement amount from a consent judgment

Attorney fees are capped at 25 percent of the amount awarded under this act, and the total compensation represents the sole remedy for all claims arising from this incident