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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 />