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Agenda 02/24/2026 Item #16K 3 (Settlement Agreement in the lawsuit styled Amonnon Louis v. Collier County Board of Commissioners (Case No. 25-CA-345)2/24/2026 Item # 16.K.3 ID# 2026-309 Executive Summary Recommendation to approve and authorize the Chair to execute a Settlement Agreement in the lawsuit styled Amonnon Louis v. Collier County Board of Commissioners (Case No. 25-CA-345), now pending in the Circuit Court of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit in and for Collier County, Florida, for the sum of $17,500.00. OBJECTIVE: Recommendation to approve the settlement in the lawsuit filed with Amonnon Louis, for the sum of $17,500.00 and authorize the Chair to execute the Settlement Agreement. CONSIDERATIONS: This lawsuit arises from a vehicle accident that occurred on 10/25/2021, when a County employee rear-ended the vehicle in front of him, Mr. Louis’ vehicle. There was $7,643.73 in property damage caused to Mr. Louis’ vehicle. Plaintiff claimed bilateral shoulders, right knee, neck and back pain. After reviewing the medical records, the County determined that the cost of retaining a medical expert to examine the Plaintiff and review the records, as well as engaging a mediator for the court-ordered non-binding arbitration and mediation, would exceed the cost of settling the case. Mr. Louis’ total in medical expenses was $18,770.00 at the time of the accident. Most of these medical expenses involved chiropractic care and subsequent physical therapy. Plaintiff initially demanded $190,000.00 in settlement discussions with the County’s 3rd Party Administrator, Davies. Following Plaintiff’s deposition on 1/15/2026, Plaintiff’s counsel spoke with County Attorney’s expressing interest in resolving the case. The parties subsequently reached a tentative agreement to settle the entire lawsuit for $17,500.00, contingent upon approval by the Board of County Commissioners. The County Attorney and the Risk Management Director recommend that the Board approve this settlement as reasonable since while the County has multiple viable defenses to Plaintiff’s claims, the cost for the County to obtain a medical expert witness, expert review the records, as well as engaging a mediator will far exceed the settlement amount. FISCAL IMPACT: Funds are budgeted and available in Fund 5016, Property & Casualty Insurance Fund and the total impact will be $17,500.00. GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: There is no growth management impact associated with this action. LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item is approved as to form and legality and requires a majority vote for approval. - RTT RECOMMENDATION(S): For the Board of County Commissioners to approve and authorize the Chairman to execute the Settlement Agreement for the total sum of $17,500.00 in the lawsuit Amonnon Louis v. Collier County Board of Commissioners (Case No. 25-CA-345), now pending in the Circuit Court of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit in and for Collier County, Florida. PREPARED BY: Ronald T. Tomasko, Assistant County Attorney Michael K. Quigley, Director, Risk Management ATTACHMENTS: 1. Settlement Agreeemnt_Amonnon Louis Page 2147 of 3023 Page 2148 of 3023 Page 2149 of 3023 Page 2150 of 3023 Page 2151 of 3023