Florida Senate - 2026 (NP) SB By Senator Gruters 22-00047-26 202624__ CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. A bill to be entitled

An act for the relief of Lourdes Latour and Edward Latour by Miami-Dade County; providing an appropriation to compensate Mr. and Mrs. Latour for injuries sustained as a result of the negligence of Miami-Dade County; providing a limitation on compensation and the payment of attorney fees; 7 providing an effective date. 8

WHEREAS, on November 5, 2017, Lourdes Latour sustained serious injuries when she was struck by a malfunctioning automatic gate arm while exiting the Gables by the Sea community on her bicycle in Miami-Dade County, and

WHEREAS, the automatic gate arm at the community exit malfunctioned, striking Lourdes Latour and throwing her from her bicycle, causing her to sustain permanent injuries, and

WHEREAS, Lourdes Latour and Edward Latour have alleged, 17 through a lawsuit filed on November 21, 2018, that the negligence of Miami-Dade County in the ownership, operation, 19 maintenance, and control of the subject exit gate was the proximate cause of the injuries sustained by Mrs. Latour, and

WHEREAS, the lawsuit proceeded to trial, and on January 16, 22 2025, a jury returned a verdict in favor of Mr. and Mrs. Latour, 23 finding Miami-Dade County percent liable for the incident, 24 and

WHEREAS, the jury awarded Mrs. Latour $4.75 million for her injuries and Mr. Latour $165,000 for his loss of consortium, and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Latour has suffered significant pain and suffering, disability, physical impairment, disfigurement, 29 Florida Senate - 2026 (NP) SB 24 22-00047-26 202624__ CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. mental anguish, inconvenience, and loss of capacity for enjoyment of life, and

WHEREAS, Mr. Latour has suffered loss of his wife’s comfort, society, attention, and services, and

WHEREAS, following the verdict and entry of final judgment, 34 Mr. and Mrs. Latour and Miami-Dade County reached a settlement in the amount of $800,000, and

WHEREAS, pursuant to the settlement agreement between the parties, the plaintiffs’ claim will be partially satisfied by Miami-Dade County paying the amount of $300,000 to Mr. and Mrs. 39 Latour, and

WHEREAS, pursuant to the settlement, Miami-Dade County supports and agrees that Mr. and Mrs. Latour should receive as compensation the remaining $500,000 of the settlement amount, 43 and their claim shall be considered fully satisfied by Miami-44 Dade County paying this $500,000 to Mr. and Mrs. Latour, as authorized by the Florida Legislature through a claim bill, NOW, 46 THEREFORE, 47

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 49

Section 1. The facts stated in the

preamble to this act are found and declared to be true. 52

Section 2. Miami-Dade County is authorized and directed to appropriate from funds not otherwise encumbered and to draw a warrant in the sum of $500,000 payable to Lourdes Latour and Edward Latour as compensation for injuries and damages sustained. 57

Section 3. The amount paid by Miami-Dade County pursuant to Florida Senate - 2026 (NP) SB 24 22-00047-26 202624__ CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. s. 768.28, Florida Statutes, and the amount awarded under 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 and damages to Lourdes Latour and Edward Latour. The total amount paid for attorney fees relating to this claim may not exceed percent of the total amount awarded under this act. 65

Section 4. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law. 66