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HomeMy WebLinkAboutContract 59128CAUSE NO. 153-335460-22 ABRAHAM PRADO Plaintiff, V CITY OF FORT WORTH, THE FORT WORTH POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND CHARLES PATTON Defendants . § § § § § § § § § § IN THE DISTRICT COURT TARRANT COUNTY, TEXAS 153RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT COMPROMISE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS I. RECITALS WHEREAS, Abraham Prado, Plaintiff in the above-entitled and numbered cause, alleges that on or about August 16, 2020, he received personal injuries when a City of Fort Worth vehicle collided with the vehicle in which Plaintiff was a passenger; WHEREAS, Plaintiff further alleges that the negligence of the City of Fort Worth ("City" or "Defendant"), by way of its employee C. Patton proximately caused the above-described accident; WHEREAS, as a result of such accident, injuries and damages allegedly suffered by Plaintiff, suit was filed against the City in the above-entitled and numbered cause, reference being made to the pleadings on file in said cause for a more full and complete description of Plaintiffs claims and cause of action; WHEREAS, Plaintiff has offered to compromise and settle all claims and causes of action of any kind which he may have against the City, its agents, employees, workers and representatives, and all others connected with or in privity with the City, arising out of or connected in any way with the above-described accident in consideration of payment by the City to Plaintiff Abraham Prado, and his attorneys Patterson Law Group, the sum of Two Hundred Thirty-eight Thousand Four Hundred Thirty-two Dollars ($238,432 .00) in full and final settlement of all claims against the City, its agents, employees, workers or representatives, arising out of Plaintiffs alleged injuries; and WHEREAS, even though the City denies any liability ofany kind on account of the alleged incident made the subject of Plaintiffs suit, the City has agreed to the payment terms described above in compromise and settlement of the disputed claims and in order to avoid further time- consuming and costly litigation. OFFICIAL RECORD CITY SECRETARY FT. WORTH, TX II. TERMS NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the recitals set forth above, the mutual promises and agreements made herein, , the receipt and sufficiency of which is acknowledged, the City and Plaintiff agree that: l. Abraham Prado, Plaintiff herein, for and in consideration of payment by the City to Plaintiff Abraham Pradothe sum of Two Hundred Thirty-eight Thousand Four Hundred Thirty- two Dollars ($238,432.00) made payable to "Abraham Prado and Patterson Law Group" (the "Settlement Amount") in full and final settlement of all claims against the City, its agents, employees, workers or representatives, arising out of Plaintiffs alleged injuries, and the receipt and sufficiency of such consideration being hereby acknowledged and confessed by Plaintiff, does for himself, his representatives, successors and assigns, unconditionally release, acquit and forever discharge the City of Fort Worth, and its agents, employees, workers and representatives, and all others connected with or in privity with the City of Fort Worth, of and from any and all claims of every kind, character or nature which said Plaintiff might assert by reason of the above described incident together with all claims heretofore asserted in Cause No. 153-335460-22, in the 153rd Judicial District Court, Tarrant County, Texas, including claims for physical pain and suffering (past and future), medical expenses (past and future), physical impairment (past and future), property damage, lost wages (past and future), loss of earning capacity (past and future) and any other kind, character or nature of damage which could or might be the subject of a claim by him arising from the incident herein above described. 2. In consideration of the respective payment described above, Plaintiff agrees to indemnify and forever hold harmless and defend the City of Fort Worth, and all agents, employees, workers and representatives of the City of Fort Worth, and all others connected with or in privity with the City of Fort Worth, its heirs, representatives, successors and assigns, from any and all claims or causes of action, including any costs or expenses in connection therewith, which may hereafter be brought by Plaintiff, or by anyone on his behalf, arising out of the above-described incident. 3. For the same consideration, Plaintiff declares and warrants that all medical, hospital, and/or other expenses of any and every nature and character whatsoever incurred by him, or on his behalf, or in any way pertaining to or arising out of the injury that allegedly occurred on or about August , made the basis of this litigation, have been or will be paid or compromised by Plaintiff, and Plaintiff hereby agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless Defendant, City of Fort Worth and any other person, corporation, association, partnership, or entity in privity with or connected with them, as well as any person, corporation, association, partnership, or entity they are or may be required to defend, indemnify, or hold harmless from and against any claims for medical, hospital, and/or other claims and expenses of any and every nature, including but not limited to, claims which may hereafter be made under the authority of the Texas Hospital Lien Law or any other state or federal statute, rule, or regulation. 4. Taxes . The Parties will report, as may be required by law, their respective payments and receipt of the amounts described herein. Plaintiff acknowledges and agrees that: ( 1) the City and its counsel have made no representations to Plaintiff regarding the tax consequences of the payments made to him under this Agreement; and (2) Plaintiff is ultimately responsible for Compromise Settlement Agreement And Release Of All Claims Abraham Prado Page 2 determining the taxability of any of the payments made to Plaintiff in this Agreement, and for paying taxes (federal, state, or otherwise), if any, which any taxing authority determines or claims are owed with respect to such payments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Parties hereto intend that the Settlement Amount constitutes damages on account of personal injuries or sickness, within the meaning of 26 USC § 104(a)(2), as amended and/or related provisions, and for damages received on account for personal injuries as set out in 26 CFR § 1.104- 1 ( c ), as amended and/or related provisions, and no portion thereof constitutes payment for interest, for exemplary or punitive damages, or for lost wages or Jost earnings. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing sentence or in this Agreement, consistent with, and in addition to, Abraham Prado agrees that he is solely responsible for any tax obligations which currently exist as, or which may arise as, a consequence of this Agreement. If it is ever claimed or determined that any portion of the Settlement Amount constitutes or represents taxable income and/or that the City should have withheld, deducted, made contribution towards, and/or paid any taxes to any federal, state, or local governmental body as a result thereof, the Abraham Prado warrants and agrees to release, acquit, discharge, defend, hold harmless, and indemnify the City from costs, assessments, penalties, damages, fees, or interest, arising from any tax obligations to which the City is, or may be subject to, by reason of the characterization of any portion of the Settlement Amount. Abraham Prado acknowledges that he is not relying upon the advice or representations of the City, or their agents, representatives, or attorneys concerning the treatment of taxes of the Settlement Amount and further represents that he will consult a tax professional of his own choosing, if necessary, regarding the taxability, if any, of the Settlement Amount. PLAINTIFF REPRESENTS THAT NONE OF THE MEDICAL BILLS OF ABRAHAM PRADO HAVE BEEN PAID BY MEDICARE OR BY ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL OR QUASI-GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY. IF PLAINTIFF IS MISTAKEN IN THIS REGARD AND MEDICARE OR SOME OTHER GOVERNMENTAL OR QUASI-GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY HAS PAID ANY BILLS, WHATSOEVER, PLAINTIFF WILL FULLY SATISFY ANY CLAIM EVER ASSERTED BY MEDICARE OR OTHER GOVERNMENTAL OR QUASI-GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY FOR REIMBURSEMENT AND WILL DEFEND, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS THE CITY OF FORT WORTH AND ANY OTHER PERSON, CORPORATION, ASSOCIATION, PARTNERSHIP OR ENTITY IN PRIVITY WITH OR CONNECTED WITH IT AGAINST ANY SUCH CLAIM. PLAINTIFF ALSO REPRESENTS TUA T HE WILL FULLY SATISFY ALL LEGAL BILLS INCURRED BY HIM WITH ANY OTHER LAW FIRM OR ATTORNEY WHO MAY BE OWED FEES RELATED TO THIS MATTER. 5. The release of cJaims contained herein is given with full knowledge of all parties to the referenced suit that there is a dispute on the part of the City regarding whether or not it is liable for any damages alleged in the above-entitled and numbered cause. It is also understood and agreed that this settlement is in compromise of disputed claims and that the payment made hereunder is not to be construed as an admission of liability on the part of the City of Fort Worth, and, in fact, City denies liability for the above-described accident, if any, and intends, by this settlement, merely to buy its peace. Compromise Settlement Agreement And Release Of All Claims -Abraham Prado Page 3 6. Plaintiff agrees to dismiss the cause of action in the above-entitled and numbered matter, with prejudice, and hereby authorizes and directs his attorney, Kolter R. Jennings, to prepare and file the appropriate Motion and Order of Dismissal, with prejudice, with respect to Plaintiff's claims and causes of action in the above-entitled and numbered case against the City. And, in this connection, Plaintiff agrees to expeditiously provide any information the Court may require, and/or to attend any hearings the Court may require, in connection with the dismissal of said lawsuit. 7. It is understood and agreed that all taxable court costs will be paid by the party incurring same. 8. This Compromise Settlement Agreement and Release of All Claims may be executed in a number of identical counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original for all purposes. The Parties agree that this Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes any and all prior agreements, arrangements, or undertakings between the Parties relating to the subject matter. No oral understandings, statements, promises, or inducements contrary to the terms of this Agreement exist. This Agreement cannot be changed orally, and any changes or amendments must be signed by all Parties affected by the change or amendment. 9. Plaintiff, Abraham Prado, represents and acknowledges that this Compromise Settlement Agreement and Release of All Claims has been read in its entirety before signing and that it has been fully explained, in detail , to each of them by his attorney and that it is fully understood. 10. By his signature hereto, Abraham Prado, Plaintiff represents and declares that he is more than eighteen ( 18) years of age and fully competent to enter into this Compromise Settlement Agreement and Release of All Claims, that the representations, declarations and agreements herein are accurate, binding, and are contractual in nature and that no representation or agreement not herein expressed has been made to him as inducement to enter into this Compromise Settlement Agreement and Release of All Claims . 11 . It is understood and agreed that this Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with, and subject to, the laws of the State of Texas, to the extent not preempted by federal law. 12. This Agreement is the product of arm's-length negotiations between the Parties , and no Party shall be deemed to be the drafter of any provision or the entire Agreement. The wording in this Agreement was reviewed and accepted by all Parties after reasonable time to review with legal counsel, and no Party shall be entitled to have any wording of this Agreement construed against the other Party as the drafter of the Agreement in the event of any dispute in connection with this Agreement. This agreement should be effective as of the date the last party signature is affixed hereto as indicated by the dates set forth below . Compromise Settlement Agreement And Release Of All Claims • Abraham Prado Page4 STATE OF TEXAS § COUNTYO~too± § Date: 3-I 7 --.f<'.:t.__ BEFORE ME, the undersigned authority, on this day personally appeared ABRAHAM PRADO, known to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument, and acknowledged to me that she executed the same as his free act and deed for purposes and consideration therein expressed. ~~ UNDER MY HAND '-'--'----"-WI\J....,....u.__, _____ 2023 . ;, SHAHHO~ M RENFRO Notary)~ #109~0697 , My CommhslO(l Expires June 12, 2026 AND SEAL Compromise Settlement Agreement And Release Of All Claims -Abraham Prado OF OFFICE on the \l day of Page 5 Kis> ter R. Jennings State Bar No. 24094048 Patterson Law Group 2409 Forest Park Blvd Fort Worth , Texas 76110 Tel/Fax: (817) 784-2000 Service Email: legal@pattersonpersonalinjury.com ATTORNEYS FOR PLAINTIFF CITY OF FORT WORTH: APPROVED: Assistant City Manager CITY OF FORT WORTH APPROVED AS TO FORM: Date: 3.22 .23 L M.Winter Senior Assistant City Attorney ~~~\l."ll1l.,., ATTEST: ,o-<>~ f0A .... ?2~ § o1 0 o0000ot~~◊ {tl~oo~¢~ -~:Wlb,.fl..,,l[..~~~~.a.:..,IJQPl#-f J~te : ,3/21/2023 ~ 0 0 g ¢,.. ~ ooo ol.>f. c VA O O J;;/ '<t:J :,000000° C ~?l.r{'eXA'i<><>-,c:, Contract Compliance Manager: ll"tl\l.~~~ By signing I acknowledge that I am the person responsible for the monitoring and administration of this contract, including ensuring all performance and reporting requirements . ;J.~~-Date: 03/23/2023 Yolanda Fouche Compromise Settlement Agreement And Release Of All Claims -Abraham Prado ,.-------i \ OFFICI AL RECORD CITY SECRETARY FT. WORTH, TX Page 6 FORT WORTH Routing and Transmittal Slip City Attorney's Office Department CSO REC'D MAR 24 '23 Pt-14:58 DOCUMENT TITLE: CSA-Prado v. CFW SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT M&C CPN CSO# DOC# ------------------ ------ DATE: 03-24-23 TO: INITIAi ~ DA0 ~/4i -1. ACM-Fernando Costa .,TL--3 24 '2023 2 . CSO-Jannette Goodall 3 . DOCUMENTS FOR CITY MANAGER'S SIGNTURE: All documents received from any and all City Departments requesting City Manager's signature for approval MUST BE ROUTED TO THE APPROPRIATE ACM for approval first. Once the ACM has signed the routing slip , David will review and take the next steps. NEEDS TO BE NOTARIZED: X Yes □ No RUSH: Yes X No SAME DAY: D Yes D No ROUTING TO CSO: X Yes D No Action Required: NEXT DAY: 0 Yes O No □ As Requested X Attach Signature, Initial and Notary Tabs □ For Your Information x Signature/Routing and or Recording □ Comment □ File Return to: Please call _LaTanya Kelsey ___ at ext7 665 for pick up when completed . Thank you .