96-987Presented By
Referred To
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Committee: Date
RESOLVED, that upon execution and delivery of a release, in full, to the City of
St. Paul, the proper City officers are hereby authorized and directed to pay out of the
Tort Liability Fund, 09070-0511, to Scott Sorenson and Bass & Carlson, P.A., his
attomeys, the sum of $22,000.00 in full setdement of his claim for damages arising out of
a motor vehicle accident with a city vehicle at or near Maryland Avenue and Dale Street
on April 25, 1991.
Requested by Department of:
City Attorney
By: � � - \"`°'�
Form Approved by City Attorney
gy: ` w � � �-^�'
By:
approved by Mayor: nate �s �ib
By: /��� _�I'Gu2coS
C��!�I���L
Council File # g�- q� 7
Green Sheet $ 31162
RESOLUTION
OF SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA
Approved by Mayor for Submission to
Council
By: `�/!/l (L �W�'�7
Adopted by Council: Date
Adoption Certi£ied by Council Secretary
°� �, - 9�7 . �
D CILY EN At�'t0 ney o 8/ ' 6/46 GREEN SHEE N° 3.1 162'
INfr1AL/DATE INRIAVDATE
CONTAGT PEPS�N 8 PHpNE � DEPARiMENT DIREGTOF � CIN CAUNCIL
Theodore D. Leon, 266-8747 nssicx �CITVATfORNEY �CRYCLEFK
NUYBF3i i0R
MUST BE ON COUNCIL AGENDA BY (DATE) pOV77NG � B��ET DIpECTOR a FIN. & MGT. SERVICES DIR.
OHDER � MpypR (OR ASSISTANn ❑
TOTAL # OF SIGNATURE PAGES (CLIP ALL LOCATIONS FOR SIGNATUREj
ACTION REQUESTED:
Approval o£ resolution settling the claim against the City of
St. Paul by Scott Sorenson for $22,000.00
RECAMMENDATIONS: Approve (A) or Feject (R) PERSONAL SERVICE CONTfiACTS MUST ANSWEp TXE FOLL IONS:
_ PLANNING COMMISSION _ CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION �� Has this personffirm ever worked under a coM�act for this tlepartmeM? -
_ CIB COMMITTEE _ YES NO �� {(� Q C ��i�
2. Has this perso�rm ever been a ciry employee? �� �� � �
_ STAFF
— VES NO
_ DISTRIC7COUFT _ 3. Does this personttirm possess a skill rlot normall
ypossess�lfi�J?�'i�i��r�'jtee� Iqree?
SUPPOpTS WHICH COUNCIL O&IEC7IVE? YES NO
Explain all yes answers on separate sheet and atteeh to green sheet
INITIATING PHOBIEM, ISSUE, OPPORTUNITY (WM, What. When, Where, Whyj:
On April 25, 1991, plaintiff Scott Sorenson was operating a
motorcycle eastbound on Maryland Avenue approaching a viaduct just
east of Dale Street. At the same time St. Paul Police Officer
Charles Geyer was westbound on Maryland Avenue in a marked squad
approaching the viaduct. As Sorenson began to go under the viaduct
Officer Geyer decided to make a U-turn to pursue a speeder by
.
ADVANTAGESI Pr�e�v� although �he could not see eastbound traffic due to the
viaduct. Geyer also admitted that he had just activated his lights
but not his siren and that he blocked Sorenson's lane of travel.
Geyer also testified that Sorenson was not speeding. There was a
collision between the two vehicles and Sorenson was thrown from his
motorcycle onto the squad and then onto the ground.
Sorenson immediately complained of pain in his left ribs. The
DISADVANTAG OV :
approximately two weeks later. One x-ray was read to show a
fracture of a rib. The pain became intraCtable and eventually
Sorenson underwent eight separate intercostal nerve blocks. This
procedure is fairly painful and presents some dangerous potential
side effects. The nerve blocks were not helpful and Sorenson
continues to suffer from pain in his left rib area. E�erts
retained by Sorenson opined that his pain was a permanent condition
that he would have to live with for the rest of his life. The
OISADVANTAG�&2�TQ �S w o per orme an in epen en me ica examina ion or
the City concurred with the opinion of Sorenson's e�erts. The
doctor agreed that Sorenson had suffered an injury as a result of
the accident and that his prospects for relief of his pain were
very limited. All eSCperts agreed that a surqical procedure could
provide Sorenson with permanent relief although they also agreed
that the success rate did not exceed 50� and could even increase
31C'rI �'��� ���
TOTALAMOUNTOP7RANSACTION$ZZ•OOO. L��471�OST�EVENUEBUDGETED(CIRCLEONE) VES NO
FUNDIHGSOURCE Tort Liability ACTNIiYNUMBERS 090�0
FINANCIAL INF09MATION� (E%PLAIN) _ � - - � p �� '
-^'---- " _ -...--- - - .
� �- ���
Sorenson�s pain. The IME doctor agreed that all
medical treatment to date has been reasonable
Mr. Sprenson's medical e�enses to date total
$7200.00. His motorcycle was also a total loss
approximately $1,��0.�0.
of Sorenson's
and necessary.
approximately
and valued at
`Phe case was scheduled £or trial on January 27, 1997, and
court ordered mediation was to occur on August 1, 1996. Prior to
the scheduled mediation counsel for both parties engaged in
settlement negotiations. On July 31, 1996, the plaintiff agreed to
settle all of his claims for a total payment of $22,000.00 by the
City of St. Paul. The City Attorney's Office has evaluated the
claim and assessed the potential liability to the City given
plaintiPf's injuries and recommends settlement of this matter in
the amount of $22,000.00, as in the best legal interests of the
City.
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