01. Florida Law Firms
Top Mesothelioma Law Firms in Florida
Florida residents and people exposed to asbestos in Florida may be eligible to receive compensation for asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma. Floridians can seek the help of asbestos law firms to file their mesothelioma cases.
The following law firms can help people living in Florida file their mesothelioma claims:
Selecting a firm with a track record in asbestos litigation has many advantages. These asbestos firms possess a depth of knowledge and experience that non-specialized law firms can’t match. Lawyers at these firms are skilled in knowing exactly where to file a case to achieve the most favorable financial outcome for each client.
Why Should You Work With a Florida Mesothelioma Lawyer?
Florida mesothelioma lawyers can help individuals throughout the legal process. For instance, a firm’s legal team can help determine claim and lawsuit options, gather evidence and handle the filing process.
These asbestos lawyers can travel to their clients to answer questions and address any concerns. Their main goal is to make the process easy so that asbestos victims can focus on other important matters, like mesothelioma treatment.
Resources for Mesothelioma Patients
02. Filing Lawsuits in Florida
Filing Mesothelioma Lawsuits in Florida
Dedicated mesothelioma law firms can help Florida asbestos victims receive compensation through trust fund claims and lawsuits.
Florida’s mesothelioma diagnoses and deaths are the second highest in the nation.
- From 1999 to 2019, there were 4,894 mesothelioma diagnoses in Florida.
- From 1999 to 2020, there were 3,676 mesothelioma deaths in Florida.
Individuals in more than 130 towns and cities in Florida have filed asbestos and mesothelioma lawsuits. Experienced Florida mesothelioma attorneys understand state-specific laws and can help those with asbestos-related diseases explore their filing options.
Who Is Eligible to File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit in Florida?
Floridians with asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma, lung cancer or asbestosis, may be eligible to file for compensation.
Individuals may have been exposed to asbestos in Florida while living in, working in or visiting the state. The mineral can be found in many buildings and homes. It was also present at asbestos jobsites throughout the state.
For instance, raw asbestos-containing substances, including vermiculite from a contaminated mine in Libby, Montana, were transported to Florida for processing. W.R. Grace had a vermiculite processing plant in Tampa, Florida. The vermiculite was used in a number of products, like insulation. W.R. Grace operated the plant from the 1950s until 1991. During this time, workers at the plant were put at risk of exposure to asbestos fibers. Family members of the plant workers also risked secondary exposure.
Residents may continue to risk exposure today at jobsites or in buildings where old asbestos products remain.
Florida residents living in the following towns and cities have filed mesothelioma lawsuits to seek compensation from manufacturers and distributors of asbestos:
- Altamonte Springs, FL
- Anna Maria, FL
- Auburndale, FL
- Avon Park, FL
- Belleview, FL
- Boca Raton, FL
- Boynton Beach, FL
- Bradenton, FL
- Brooksville, FL
- Bunnell, FL
- Cape Coral, FL
- Casselberry, FL
- Clearwater, FL
- Clermont, FL
- Cocoa, FL
- Coral Springs, FL
- Cortez, FL
- Crystal River, FL
- Dade City, FL
- Davenport, FL
- Daytona Beach, FL
- Debary, FL
- Deerfield Beach, FL
- Deland, FL
- Delray Beach, FL
- Deltona, FL
- Dowling Park, FL
- Dunedin, FL
- East Lake Weir, FL
- Edgewater, FL
- Englewood, FL
- Eustis, FL
- Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Fort Myers, FL
- Fort Pierce, FL
- Fort Walton Beach, FL
- Frostproof, FL
- Green Cove Springs, FL
- Gulf Breeze, FL
- Gulfport, FL
- Hernando, FL
- Hialeah, FL
- Hobe Sound, FL
- Homosassa, FL
- Interlachen, FL
- Jacksonville, FL
- Jensen Beach, FL
- Jupiter, FL
- Lady Lake, FL
- Lake City, FL
- Lake Mary, FL
- Lake Suzy, FL
- Lake Worth, FL
- Lakeland, FL
- Land O’ Lakes, FL
- Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL
- Lecanto, FL
- Leesburg, FL
- Lithia, FL
- Lutz, FL
- Melbourne, FL
- Merritt Island, FL
- Miami, FL
- Miami Gardens, FL
- Miami Springs, FL
- Milton, FL
- Naples, FL
- Neptune Beach, FL
- New Port Richey, FL
- Niceville, FL
- Nokomis, FL
- North Port, FL
- Oakland Park, FL
- Ocala, FL
- Odessa, FL
- Oldsmar, FL
- Orange Park, FL
- Orlando, FL
- Ormond Beach, FL
- Palm Beach, FL
- Palm Beach Gardens, FL
- Palm City, FL
- Palm Coast, FL
- Palm Harbor, FL
- Panama City, FL
- Pembroke Pines, FL
- Pensacola, FL
- Perry, FL
- Plant City, FL
- Plantation, FL
- Point Charlotte, FL
- Point Hernando, FL
- Pompano Beach, FL
- Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
- Port Orange, FL
- Port Richey, FL
- Port St. Lucie, FL
- Punta Gorda, FL
- Riviera Beach, FL
- Rockledge, FL
- Safety Harbor, FL
- Saint Petersburg, FL
- Salem, FL
- San Antonio, FL
- Sarasota, FL
- Satellite Beach, FL
- Sebastian, FL
- Sebring, FL
- South Daytona, FL
- Southport, FL
- Spring Hill, FL
- St. Augustine, FL
- St. Petersburg, FL
- Stuart, FL
- Summerfield, FL
- Sun City Center, FL
- Sunrise, FL
- Tallahassee, FL
- Tampa, FL
- Tarpon Springs, FL
- Tavares, FL
- The Villages, FL
- Titusville, FL
- Valrico, FL
- Venice, FL
- Vero Beach, FL
- Weeki Wachee, FL
- Wesley Chapel, FL
- West Palm Beach, FL
- Wimauma, FL
- Winter Park, FL
- Zephyrhills, FL
Deadlines for Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit in Florida
Floridians impacted by asbestos exposure may be eligible to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. Florida has statutes of limitations that govern these types of lawsuits. This means individuals need to file lawsuits within a certain amount of time after diagnosis or death.
Once a case is filed, mesothelioma lawyers can handle the legal process on behalf of their clients to seek the best possible outcome. This may include pursuing other types of compensation as well, including trust fund claims and veterans benefits.
Mesothelioma lawyers can explain all of these options for asbestos victims.
Filing VA Claims in Florida
In 2021, Florida had more than 1.3 million veterans living in the state. This was the second-highest number of veteran residents in the country. Veterans often experienced high levels of asbestos exposure during service. As a result, many veterans have developed asbestos illnesses.
Veterans with service-related asbestos diseases may be eligible to receive monthly benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). They may also be able to file claims and lawsuits against asbestos companies. An asbestos law firm can help veterans and their loved ones understand their options and handle the filing process.
03. Florida Settlements & Verdicts
Mesothelioma Settlements in Florida
Patients and their families can use compensation from mesothelioma settlements and verdicts to recover lost income and help pay for medical expenses, including travel costs. Floridians have received millions in compensation through lawsuit settlements.
A settlement is an agreement between a victim and a company to end a lawsuit. Mesothelioma settlements can occur before, during or after trial.
Some details from Florida mesothelioma settlements include:
- $9.4 million for a 50-year-old Air Force veteran (power generation) with secondary household exposure
- $7.1 million for a 57-year-old Navy veteran and operating engineer
- $5.9 million for a 68-year-old Army veteran and auto mechanic
- $4.5 million for a 52-year-old Navy veteran and boilerman
- $3.9 million for a 61-year-old Army veteran and brake mechanic
- $3.6 million for a 69-year-old with secondary household exposure
- $3.2 million for a 73-year-old Brooklyn, New York, teacher
- $2.8 million for a 79-year-old Coast Guard machinist mate and dry cleaning repair worker
- $2.7 million for a 61-year-old sheet metal contractor and construction worker
- $2.7 million for an 84-year-old Navy veteran (San Diego Naval Shipyard)
Mesothelioma Verdicts in Florida
Floridians have also secured compensation through verdicts, which are decided by a judge or jury at the end of a trial. On average, verdicts result in higher compensation awards than settlements.
One Florida mesothelioma verdict involved a former biopharmaceutical laboratory technician and his wife. The technician was exposed to asbestos while performing maintenance work on lab equipment that contained asbestos. He worked at several facilities over a 40-year career.
The technician was diagnosed with mesothelioma. His case pinpointed asbestos-containing brakes and clutches in centrifuges manufactured by GEA Mechanical Equipment as the source of exposure. The jury ruled in favor of the technician and his wife. The technician was awarded:
- $102,000 for past medical expenses
- $50 million for past and future emotional and physical losses
His wife was also awarded $20 million for loss of companionship caused by her husband’s disease.
Note: Each lawsuit is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in the future. Contact a reputable Florida mesothelioma lawyer to understand how much compensation you may be eligible to receive.
04. Asbestos Laws in Florida
Florida Asbestos Laws & Regulations
In addition to following federal asbestos laws, Florida has some state laws and regulatory bodies that oversee asbestos rules.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection oversees the state’s asbestos removal program. According to parts of the Florida Administrative Code, asbestos removal procedures must follow strict guidelines to minimize the risk of exposure to harmful mineral particles. This code also covers laws related to training, certification and licensing for asbestos abatement workers.
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation oversees asbestos worker training, certification and licensing. Asbestos removal firms in Florida must register with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation and follow all relevant laws when dealing with asbestos contamination.
Florida Laws Affecting Asbestos Litigation
Some state laws may favor asbestos companies more than asbestos victims. Mesothelioma lawyers can help patients understand which states are most favorable to file a lawsuit for asbestos victims. Florida asbestos victims may be eligible to file a lawsuit in another state. Experienced mesothelioma attorneys can review an individual’s case and determine the best place to file.
For example, Florida has the Florida Asbestos and Silica Fairness and Compensation Act, which has some provisions that may favor defendants. This statute addresses the following aspects of asbestos litigation:
- Punitive damages: Punitive damages cannot be awarded in certain types of civil action cases, including asbestos cases. Punitive damages are monies awarded to victims to punish companies. They are given in addition to any money a company owes victims to compensate them for their injuries.
- Strict liability: Florida has moved away from a strict liability system. As a result, it may be more complicated for asbestos victims to prove their cases against companies.
- Trust funds: Asbestos victims must disclose any compensation they have already received, including trust fund payouts, when filing asbestos lawsuits. These payouts may be subtracted from lawsuit award amounts.
- Two disease rule: Individuals with more than one asbestos-related condition must file separate cases for malignant and non-malignant diseases. For example, a person with mesothelioma cancer and pleural plaques would have to file two separate cases.
The act has led to some controversy. In 2017, one asbestos victim filed three separate motions taking issue with the act. The victim’s case argued that these rules make it harder for victims to receive the compensation they deserve. This case was ultimately unsuccessful in overturning the act.
These rules can affect asbestos victims’ ability to receive compensation for their injuries. Experienced mesothelioma attorneys can review an individual’s case and determine if Florida is the best state to file their lawsuit or if they should consider exploring other options.
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