HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-84-04131 �q
J-84-232
3/12/84
RESOLUTION NO. 84- 413
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE DIRECTOR OF
FINANCE TO PAY TO NOEMI GARCIA, THE SUM OF
FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($15,000) WITHOUT
THE ADMISSION OF LIABILITY, IN FULL AND
COMPLETE SETTLEMENT OF ALL BODILY INJURY,
PERSONAL INJURY PROTECTION LIENS, WORKER'S
COMPENSATION LIENS, CLAIMS AND DEMANDS
AGAINST THE CITY OF MIAMI AND UPON EXECUTION
OF A RELEASE RELEASING THE CITY OF MIAMI FROM
ALL CLAIMS AND DEMANDS.
WHEREAS, NOEMI GARCIA, through Mark Leeds, Esq., of Thomas &
Pearl, P.A., her attorneys, filed a claim against the City of
Miami for alleged bodily injury, personal injury protection
liens, and worker's compensation liens resulting from an accident
wherein NOEMI GARCIA fell on an alleged defect in a City sidewalk
on September 1, 1980 approximately 50 feet east of northeast
corner of intersection of Southwest 23rd Avenue and 10th Street,
Miami, Dade County, Florida; and
WHEREAS, the above claim has been investigated by the Torts
Division of the City Attorney's office and in accordance with
Ordinance No. 8417, which created the City of Miami's Self -
Insurance Program, the City Attorney's office recommends that
these claims be settled without the admission of liability for
the sum of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000);
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The Director of Finance is hereby authorized
to pay to NOEMI GARCIA the sum of Fifteen Thousand Dollars
($15,000) without the admission of liability in full and complete
settlement of all bodily injury, personal injury protection
liens, worker's compensation liens, claims and demands against
the City of miami, upon execution of a release, releasing the
City of Miami froin all bodily injury, personal injury protection
liens, worker's compensation liens, and claims and demands.
CITY' CC7niISSIQN
iEjEriT''G hiI
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 5th day of April ,
1984.
Maui ce Ferre
MAVRICE A. FERRE
MAYOR
ATTEST:
ALPH G. ONGIE
CITY CLE
PREPA ANJDR, VE Y:
Tt. FI AS STANT CITY ATO NEY
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS:
J R GACTA-PEllIZOSA
C Y ATTORNEY
LMF/wpc/ab/084
1• t
-2-
CITY OF MIAMI. FLORIDA
INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM
To, Honorable Mayor and Members
of the City Commission
FROM: Jose Garcia-Pedros
City Attorney L_
r�
DATE: March 12, 1984 FILE- VC-81-031
L--82 -18
SUBJECT: Noemi Garcia v . Feliciano and Luis,
Diaz and City of Miami
Circuit Court Case #82-1314 CA 05
D/A: 9/l/79
REFERENCES. LOCATION:Approx.50' E. of N.E.
corner of intersection of S.W.
ENCLosuREs:23rd Avenue & 10ta Street.
Plaintiff, Noemi Garcia filed a claim against the City of Miami through
her attorney, Mark Leeds, of Thomas & Pearl, to recover for personal
injuries received by the Plaintiff, due to a fall on a sidewalk at the
above referenced location. Also joined as a defendant in the lawsuit
was Feliciano and Luisa Diaz, his wife, the owners of the adjoining
property.
The accident occurred on September 1, 1979 in the early afternoon at
the above location. The sidewalk in that area had been lifted upvards
by the growth of tree roots growing from a tree on the adjoining pro-
perty. The defect i.n the sidctza3_Ic t:as partially obscured by a canopy
of trees growing on the adjoin i.ng property and a3.;.o in I.he swnle area.
Plaintiff claims to 11nve f.a3.1cr. as ::he passed the .area on he7 way t:o
go shopping at a grocery stoi.e on Souti)wet;t 8th St:r(:ct:.
Plaintiff , Noemi_ Garcia, was 35 years old at the time of the accident.
She suffered an injury to her left knee and she was operated upon for
a meniscectomy (torn meniscus) approximately twelve (12) days after
the accident.
The Plaintiff was employed as a sewing machine operator by Lamar
Uniforms at the time of the accident. She claims that she lost her
job as a result of her not being able to return to work within a
reasonable period of time. In addition, and more importantly,
Plaintiff claims that since the accident she has never been able to
walk without pain and without the use of a cane or other walking
apparatus. This condition continues to date and was in fact confirmed
by the court appointed physician, Dr. Arturo Ortiz, who gave the
Plaintiff a fifteen (15%) percent permanent disability to the knee
as a result of the accident. Additionally, Plaintiff has been seeing
a psychiatrist (Dr. Bolea) for approximately one (1) year, because of
acute depression and traumatic stress syndrome, which she and her
psychiatrist relate to the accident.
The Plaintiff's medical bills, excluding psychiatric treatment,
resulting from this accident approximate $7,200.00. Plaintiff also
has a claim for lost wages and loss of earning capacity.
All of the medical expenses and other damages have been verified as
to correctness. The original demand by Plaintiff was for $100,000.00
This was later reduced to $30,000.00. After extensive discussions
and negotiations, the matter can now be settled for $15,000.00 insofar
84-413
Page two
Honorable Mayor and Members
of the City Commission
March 12, 1984
Re: Noemi Garcia v. Diaz and City
Case No. 82-1314 CA 05
as the Plaintiff's claim against the City is concerned. The adjoining
land owners' insurance company has settled with the Plaintiff for the
sum of $30,000.00.
This claim has been investigated by the City Attorney's office in
accordance with Ordinance No. 8417, which created the City of Miami's
self -insured program. The City Attorney's office recommends that the
City of :Iiami pay $15,000.00 to settle this claim.
JGP/LMF/ cm
Enclosures (Resolution)
cc: City Clerk
,,,- .City Manager
8 4 - 4 3"