Title: Relief/Laura D. Strazza/DOACS

Summary: Compensates Laura D. Strazza for injuries she sustained as a result of the negligence of an employee of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Provides a limitation on the payment of fees and costs, etc. CLAIM WITH APPROPRIATION:

Full Text:
WHEREAS, an employee of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Forestry, was operating, on and next to that highway, a large transport truck that collided with the motor vehicle in which Laura D. Strazza was a passenger, and WHEREAS, as a consequence of this motor vehicle crash, Laura D. Strazza sustained multiple grievous injuries such that she has been unable to work, has undergone surgical procedures, and needs to undergo future surgical procedures, and WHEREAS, a legal action was brought by Laura Strazza, a single woman, against the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and WHEREAS, on July 13, 1999, a jury rendered a verdict in favor of Laura D. Strazza, finding that the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services was partly negligent in causing a motor vehicle crash between the vehicle in which Ms. Strazza was riding as a passenger and the department s transport truck, and WHEREAS, the jury rendered damages in the amount of WHEREAS, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has paid Laura Strazza $100,000, the maximum amount allowable under s. 768.28, Fl orida Statutes, and the remainder owed under the judgment will be $877,319.62, plus $5,002.60 in additional costs, for a total amount of $882,322.22, NOW, THEREFORE, Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1. The facts state din the preamble to this act are found and declared to be true. Section 2. The sum of $882,322.22 is appropriated from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for the relief of Laura Strazza for injuries and damag es sustai ned. Section 3. The Chief Financial Officer is directed to draw a warrant in favor of Laura Strazza in the amount of $882,322.22 upon funds of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in the State Treasury, and the Chief Financial Off icer is directed to pay the same out of such funds in the State Treasury.Section 4. The amount paid by the Department of Agriculture Florida Senate-2011 (NP) SB 18-00068-11 201148__ and the amount paid pursuant to this act are intended to provide the sole compensation for all present and future claims arising out of the factual situation described in this act which resulted in injuries to Laura D. Strazza. The total amount paid for attorney s fees, lobbying fees, costs, and other similar expenses relating to this claim may not exceed percent of the amount awarded under this act. Section 5. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law.