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RESOLUTION NO . 2008-034 <br /> A RESOLUTION BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY <br /> COMMISSIONERS OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY , FLORIDA , <br /> IN SUPPORT OF HOUSE BILL 201 AND SENATE BILL 34 , <br /> CLAIMS BILLS FOR LAURA LAPORTE . <br /> WHEREAS , on October 9 , 1999 , Laura LaPorte , a resident of Indian River <br /> County , was severely injured in an automobile collision caused by the negligence of a <br /> grove inspector who was working for the Florida Department of Agriculture and <br /> Consumer Services ; and <br /> WHEREAS , the grove inspector had recently returned to work after a leave of <br /> absence and was found to have opiates and benzodiazepine M her system at the time <br /> of the crash ; and <br /> WHEREAS , after removing her from the vehicle , and being air lifted to Holmes <br /> Regional Medical Center , doctors discovered that her legs were severely injured and ; <br /> and <br /> WHEREAS , the injuries sustained in the accident have resulted in the need for <br /> numerous orthopedic surgeries and have left Ms . LaPorte with extensive pain and <br /> greatly decreased mobility ; and <br /> WHEREAS , her injuries result in frequent falls and she is unable to get up by <br /> herself, leaving her dependant on the care of others to find - and assist her ; and <br /> WHEREAS , the effects of Ms . LaPorte ' s injuries are compounded by the fact that <br /> she was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy as a teenager , making the use of her legs <br /> extremely precious ; and <br /> WHEREAS , doctors believe Ms . LaPorte will require additional medical care and <br /> will lose her ability to live independently at a younger age as a result of the accident ; <br /> and <br /> WHEREAS , on January 10 , 2002 , an Indian River County jury returned a verdict <br /> of Five Million Five Hundred Eighty-Two Thousand Seven Hundred Seventy- Six Dollars <br /> and Eight-Two Cents ( $ 5 , 582 , 776 . 82 ) in favor of Ms . LaPorte for the severe damages <br /> caused by the Department of Agriculture ' s grove inspector ; and <br /> WHEREAS , in each legislative session since 2002 , a Claims Bill has been <br /> introduced , but not passed , effectively denying Laura LaPorte ' s recovery against the <br /> Florida Department of Agriculture ; and <br /> WHEREAS , the Legislature is currently considering House Bill 201 and Senate <br /> Bill 34 which , if passed , will result in payment to Laura LaPorte in accordance with the <br /> provisions of those Bills ; and <br /> 1 <br />