FL S0026

Appropriates $2.2 million from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Transportation to compensate the Estate of Mark LaGatta for injuries and damages

Mark LaGatta, age 57, was riding a motorcycle on State Road 24 in Cedar Key on July 27, 2020, when a Department of Transportation employee backed a tractor into his path during roadwork, causing a collision

The accident resulted in amputation of LaGatta's left leg, seven surgeries, a tracheotomy, induced coma, and several weeks of hospitalization, ending his career as a maintenance engineer

A final judgment of $2.32 million was entered against the Department of Transportation in February 2023; the department already paid $120,000 under the statutory cap, with this bill covering the remaining $2.2 million

Attorney fees are capped at 25% of the amount awarded under this act, and the combined payments represent sole compensation for all claims arising from the incident