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SPECIAL CLAIM SC-2021-1: SUBMITTED BY KIRA SEELIG IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $4,285 FOR MEDICAL EXPENSES, TRAVEL EXPENSES AND PAIN AND SUFFERING THAT OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF A COLLISION WITH A CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT VEHICLE ON NOVEMBER 18, 2019, AT THE EAST MAIN STREET ROUNDABOUT.
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BACKGROUND: A claim has been filed by Kira Seelig in the total amount of $4,285, which includes medical expenses of $2,425, travel expenses of $360, and pain and suffering of $1,500, due to an incident that occurred on November 18, 2019, when the vehicle she was driving was struck by a City Police Department vehicle on East Main Street.
DISCUSSION: This incident was investigated by Kevin Foster, Chief of Police, who found on November 18, 2019, a City police officer was driving eastbound on East Main Street while approaching the roundabout intersecting Acres Street and Carter Avenue. Kira Seelig was also traveling the same direction and was just ahead of the police officer. As Ms. Seelig stopped to yield to traffic at the roundabout, the officer failed to stop and subsequently struck the rear of the vehicle Ms. Seelig was driving.
Robert Seelig is the father of Kira Seelig and is the vehicle’s owner. Mr. Seelig previously submitted a claim for reimbursement of vehicle damage in the total amount of $1,376.26 and this amount was paid to him on January 29, 2020. Ms. Seelig now submits a claim of $4,285 to recover expenses related to medical treatment she received due to the incident.
Ms. Seelig submitted invoices totaling $2,425 for medical treatment she obtained during the months of November 2019 through March 2020; she was fully released by her doctor on March 23, 2020. She also requests reimbursement of travel expenses at a rate of $30 for each of 12 out-of-town treatment sessions she attended, for a total of $360. Lastly, Ms. Seelig requests $1,500 for pain and suffering.
As indicated above, there appears to be possible negligence on the part of the City in this matter and, consequently, potential liability on the City. Ms. Seelig’s claim in the total amount of $4,285 appears reasonable.
RECOMMENDATION: Based upon the above and foregoing, it is the recommendation of the City Attorney’s office that the claim of Kira Seelig, in the amount of $4,285 as set forth above, be approved.