Agenda 03/24/2026 Item #16K 1 (Approve and authorize the Chair to execute a Settlement Agreementin the lawsuit styled Antonietta Iannelli Colbourn v. Collier County Board of Commissioners3/24/2026
Item # 16.K.1
ID# 2026-534
Executive Summary
Recommendation to approve and authorize the Chair to execute a Settlement Agreement in the lawsuit styled Antonietta
Iannelli Colbourn v. Collier County Board of Commissioners (Case No. 24-CA-2582), now pending in the Circuit Court
of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit in and for Collier County, Florida, for the sum of $7,500.00.
OBJECTIVE: Recommendation to approve the settlement in the lawsuit filed by Antonietta Iannelli Colbourn, for the
sum of $7,500.00, and authorize the Chair to execute the Settlement Agreement.
CONSIDERATIONS: This lawsuit arises out of an accident that occurred on February 22, 2024, at or near the
south/east side of the sidewalk along Celeste Drive between Malibu Lane and Alturas Lane, Collier County.
The Plaintiff alleges that she tripped and fell on a deviation between two sidewalk panels on a sidewalk owned and
maintained by the County.
As a result of the accident, the Plaintiff went to Physicians Regional Medical Center, where she was treated for
abrasions to the left side of her body and a fracture of her left wrist. The Plaintiff had diagnostic testing consisting of
X-rays of her left wrist and was fitted with a splint and referred to an orthopedic surgeon. The plaintiff had surgery on
February 29, 2024, on her left wrist and was prescribed and participated in both physical and occupational therapy,
where she resides in Canada. The County had the Plaintiff’s medical records reviewed by an independent orthopedic
specialist, who opined that the Plaintiff, “… has achieved excellent range of motion only five months after the
accident…Occasional discomfort can occur in the wrist joint following a fracture such as pain whenever the weather
changes and rains or during cold spells.”
The Plaintiff’s pre-suit settlement demand was actually in excess of the statutory maximum amount of $200,000.00.
The Plaintiff’s claims are predicated on the fact that the County was aware of the tripping hazard, but repairs
(replacement of sidewalk panels) did not occur until May 5, 2025. Further, the Plaintiff indicated that a streetlight along
Celeste Drive cast a shadow on the sidewalk, making the tripping hazard impossible to see at night—when the trip and
fall occurred. The parties commenced discovery, and depositions were taken. A Court Ordered mediation was held on
February 25, 2026, during which a settlement was reached for the amount of $7,500.00 contingent upon Board approval.
The County Attorney and the Risk Management Director recommend that the Board approve the settlement as
reasonable because, while the County has multiple viable defenses to Plaintiff’s claims, should the case proceed with
additional expert depositions and trial, litigation costs and expenses to try the case to verdict would exceed the tentative
settlement amount.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funds are budgeted and available in Fund 516, Property & Casualty Insurance Fund and the total
impact will be $7,500.00.
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): To approve and authorize the Chair to execute the Settlement Agreement for the total sum
of $7,500.00 in the lawsuit styled Antonietta Iannelli Colbourn v. Collier County Board of Commissioners (Case No.
24-CA-2582), now pending in the Circuit Court of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit in and for Collier County.
PREPARED BY: Ronald T. Tomasko, Assistant County Attorney
Michael K. Quigley, Director-Risk Management
ATTACHMENTS:
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3/24/2026
Item # 16.K.1
ID# 2026-534
1. Settlement Agreement Iannelli 032426
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