title
VINCENT RANDI v. THE CITY OF GAINESVILLE ALACHUA COUNTY CIRCUIT CASE NO.: 01-03-CA-3953 (B)
recommendation
The City Commission 1) approve the terms of the mediated settlement agreement; and 2) authorize the City Attorney to settle the claim of Randi v. City of Gainesville; Alachua County Circuit Case No. 01-03-CA-3953 on behalf of the City.
explanation
On May 17, 2002, Vincent Randi was involved in an automobile accident with a City of Gainesville Regional Transit System (RTS) bus at the intersection of SW 27th Street and SW 35th Place in Gainesville, Florida. The intersection of SW 27th Street and SW 35th Place was controlled only by stop signs on SW 27th Street regulating northbound and southbound traffic. At the time of the accident, Mr. Randi was driving a 1998 pickup truck eastbound on SW 35th Place. The RTS bus stopped facing northbound at the stop sign on SW 27th Street, and attempted to make a right turn onto SW 35th Place heading in the same direction as Mr. Randi. The bus pulled out in front of Mr. Randi's vehicle, and the two vehicles collided at the intersection.
Subsequent to the accident, Mr. Randi sought medical attention for knee, back, and neck injuries, and, ultimately underwent surgery to repair a lateral meniscal tear in his right knee. Mr. Randi claimed medical bills totaling $24,761.87 related to injuries incurred in the accident. At the time of the accident, Mr. Randi was a 17-year-old high school student. Mr. Randi's physicians assigned impairment ratings totaling 10% of the whole body, and discussed the possibility of future complications and treatment. In October 2003, Mr. Randi filed suit against the City of Gainesville and demanded payment of $100,000.00, the full amount for which the City could be liable under the statutory sovereign immunity cap.
Mr. Randi, his attorney, and representatives for the City negotiated a settlement at Court-ordered mediation in the amount of $45,000.00. It is the recommendation of the City Attorney's Office and the Risk Management Department that the case be settled for that amount.