Franklin County settles lawsuits with accident victims

Franklin County commissioners have agreed to a settlement with two people injured in an accident with a county ambulance in 2009.

The accident happened on the Apalachicola bridge in early November after the seafood festival when a car was rear-ended by a county ambulance.

The occupants of the vehicle, Patricia and Kayla Rickards filed separate lawsuits against the county after the accident.

The issue went to mediation on June 16^th, and the two sides were able to reach an agreement.

The county’s insurance will pay 75 thousand dollars to both victims, 32 thousand to Kayla and 43 thousand to Patricia.

There will be no out of pocket expense to the county.

Even the attorney’s fees are paid by the Florida league of Cities.

There is also no admission of fault or liability for the county.

Scott Seagel, the attorney representing the county, said the county could have been on the hook for up to 100 thousand dollars per person of the case had gone to court.

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