Resolution 78-15689 RESOLUTION NO. 78-15689
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF FINAL
SETTLEMENT STIPULATION IN CONNECTION WITH
WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION CLAIM OF NICHOLAS
CHIRONIS AGAINST THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH.
WHEREAS, on June 29, 1977, one NICHOLAS CHIRONIS, an
employee of the City of Miami Beach, during the course of his
employment, suffered injuries, including three compressed vertebrae,
fractures of the second, third and fourth lumbar vertebrae, and a
hernia; and
WHEREAS, said employee was examined by Drs. Leo Grossman,
David Lehrman, Lyle Russell and a Dr. Goldman; Dr. Russell deter-
mined that the Claimant, having reached maximum medical improvement,
was left with a fifteen percent (15%) permanent partial disability
of the body as a whole from an orthopedic viewpoint, without taking
into consideration the possibility of an inguinal hernia, resulting
from the same accident; Dr. Lehrman determined a twenty percent
(20%) permanent partial disability; and
WHEREAS, the City Attorney has determined and recommended
that it is in the best interest of the City to enter into a settle-
ment under the provisions of Florida Statutes §440. 20 (10) , as
amended; such settlement calls for the payment of the City to the
employee of the sum of $10, 400; this amount to the Claimant repre-
sents a final settlement of any and all past, present and future
compensation and medical benefits, loss of earning capacity, and
all other future benefits, due him under the Workmen' s Compensation
Law, and a reasonable attorney' s fee to be $1, 875; and
WHEREAS, the Order of the Judge of Industrial Claims
approving such settlement stipulation will not be subject to
modification or review; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission deems it to be in the best
interests of the City to enter into a final settlement stipulation
as hereinabove set forth;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the City Attorney be and he
is hereby authorized to enter into final settlement as approved by
a Judge of Industrial Claims, and the Mayor, City Clerk, Finance
Director and the City Attorney be and they are hereby authorized
and directed to comply with the Order of the Judge approving said
stipulation.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 2nd day of August, 1978 .
r
Mayor
Attest:
City Clerk
OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY-1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE-MIAMI BEACH,FLORIDA 33139
TO: Gavin O'Brien, City Manager DATE: July 31, 1978
FROM: Joseph A. Wanick, City Attorney
SUBJECT: NICHOLAS CHIRONIS vs. CITY OF MIAMI BEACH
Claim No. 088-20-6502
D/A: June 29, 1977
Our File No. WC-30
Nicholas Chironis, a 48-year-old male, was employed as a Golf Course
Attendant for the City of Miami Beach, and on June 29 , 1977 , during
the course of his employment, he had occasion to be seated in the
back of a City Pickup Truck, travelling over the Golf Course. An
investigation later revealed that the Pickup Truck was travelling at
a rapid speed and struck a projection on the ground which thereupon
caused Mr. Chironis to be thrown up in the air. Immediately sub-
sequent thereto, the Truck rolled over. Mr. Chironis was found to
have suffered severe and disabling injuries from this accident,
including three compressed vertebrae, fractures of the second, third
and fourth lumbar vertebrae, and a hernia. He was seen by Drs.
David Lehrman, Lyle Russell, Leo Grossman and a Dr. Goldman. Dr.
Russell determined that Mr. Chironis, having reached maximum medical
improvement, was left with a 15% permanent partial disability of the
body as a whole from an orthopedic viewpoint, without taking into
consideration the possibility of an inguinal hernia, resulting from
the same accident. Dr. Lehrman determined a 20% permanent partial
disability.
Mr. Chironis is being compensated at the present time. After con-
siderable negotiations with the attorney for this Claimant, Norman
Ciment, Esq. , a tentative agreement was reached, subject to your
approval, as the basis for a settlement in this case:
1. Payment of $2, 900. 00 payable to Claimant,
representing the temporary payments due
him, past, present and future;
2. Payment of $7 , 500. 00 payable to Claimant,
representing all compensation for any future
medical payments, loss of earning capacity,
and all other future benefits;
3. An Attorney' s fee for Claimant' s counsel
in the sum of $1, 875. 00.
The above amounts, payable by the City, would result in a full and
complete discharge of any and all claims against the City and
liability under Chapter 440 , Florida Statutes. In the event this
claim was not settled, there is the possibility that at a final
hearing before a Judge of the Industrial Claims Court, an award in
excess of the above sum might be entered in favor of the Claimant.
Further, the Claimant would have the right to future medical payments
to be charged against the City for treatment related to the injuries
he sustained in this accident. If a settlement were reached, how-
ever, there could be no modification or review under the applicable
law but neither could any future claim be made relating to the
injuries sustained by this Employee, arising out of this accident.
In addition, the attorney' s fee which is proposed, is a lesser
amount than the Court might allow were the matter to go to a final
heaing and were the Court to enter a greater award in favor of the
Claimant.
It is my opinion;•'that the proposed settlement would be in the
interest of the City and I therefore recommend same to your favor-
able consideration.
Yoftg $"(e/iCe
JOSEPH A. WANICK, City A t ney •
JAW:pc
OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY- 1700 CONVENTION CENTER DRIVE-MIAMI BEACH,FLORIDA 33139
ORIGINAL s
RESOLUTION NO. 78-15689
(Authorizing settlement of Workmen' s
Compensation Claim--Nicholas Chironis vs
CMB)