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Florida Mesothelioma Lawyers
Table Of Contents
People diagnosed with mesothelioma in Florida can work with experienced asbestos lawyers to pursue compensation. Top Florida firms have recovered millions in verdicts and trust fund payouts for patients across the state.
Written by Whitney Ray Di Bona, Esq. | Edited by Amy Edel | Last Update:
1:15
Expert Take
Samuel Meirowitz: Why is it important to hire an experienced mesothelioma lawyer?
What a lot of people don't understand about mesothelioma cases is they're very, very unique and they're specialized. It's not the kind of case that your average local lawyer can handle.
There are a handful of law firms across the country that specialize in this work. And the reason is because it takes years and years and years to develop the sophisticated knowledge to know what companies are involved in asbestos manufacturing, to understand the science and the medicine involved in fiber release and what it takes to cause mesothelioma, to understand the state of the art, all the different aspects of what was known were knowable about the dangers of asbestos going back in time.
All these factors, you just can't pick up and learn if you're handling car accidents or other typical forms of personal injury cases.
It's a very specialized area of the law.
There are a handful of law firms across the country that specialize in this work. And the reason is because it takes years and years and years to develop the sophisticated knowledge to know what companies are involved in asbestos manufacturing, to understand the science and the medicine involved in fiber release and what it takes to cause mesothelioma, to understand the state of the art, all the different aspects of what was known were knowable about the dangers of asbestos going back in time.
All these factors, you just can't pick up and learn if you're handling car accidents or other typical forms of personal injury cases.
It's a very specialized area of the law.
1:15
Expert Take
Samuel Meirowitz: Why is it important to hire an experienced mesothelioma lawyer?
What a lot of people don't understand about mesothelioma cases is they're very, very unique and they're specialized. It's not the kind of case that your average local lawyer can handle.
There are a handful of law firms across the country that specialize in this work. And the reason is because it takes years and years and years to develop the sophisticated knowledge to know what companies are involved in asbestos manufacturing, to understand the science and the medicine involved in fiber release and what it takes to cause mesothelioma, to understand the state of the art, all the different aspects of what was known were knowable about the dangers of asbestos going back in time.
All these factors, you just can't pick up and learn if you're handling car accidents or other typical forms of personal injury cases.
It's a very specialized area of the law.
There are a handful of law firms across the country that specialize in this work. And the reason is because it takes years and years and years to develop the sophisticated knowledge to know what companies are involved in asbestos manufacturing, to understand the science and the medicine involved in fiber release and what it takes to cause mesothelioma, to understand the state of the art, all the different aspects of what was known were knowable about the dangers of asbestos going back in time.
All these factors, you just can't pick up and learn if you're handling car accidents or other typical forms of personal injury cases.
It's a very specialized area of the law.
Choosing a Florida Mesothelioma Lawyer
Florida’s high volume of asbestos cases and unique legal landscape make local expertise especially important when choosing a mesothelioma attorney. Both local and national law firms with licensed attorneys in Florida understand state asbestos laws and work to secure compensation for medical bills, lost wages and other damages. National firms often meet clients at no extra cost and handle cases statewide.
Florida had the second-highest number of new mesothelioma diagnoses in 2022, the most recent year the CDC has reported. Many people in Florida develop mesothelioma from asbestos exposure on construction sites, shipyards, military bases and in older buildings.
Talc-related asbestos litigation has also grown in the state. KCIC’s 2024 Asbestos Litigation Year in Review, the most recent edition to include state-level talc data, recorded 45 talc-related asbestos lawsuits in Florida, concentrated in Broward and Miami-Dade counties, with Miami filings more than doubling from the prior year.
Experienced attorneys know how to navigate Florida court rules that can favor defendants and understand the 2023 tort reform changes under House Bill 837. Firms like Meirowitz & Wasserberg have secured multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements for Florida mesothelioma patients.
Miami, FL 33131
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33394
- $500 Million Recovered
- Serves Clients Nationwide
- Rated in the Top 10 Asbestos and Mesothelioma Trial Lawyers
Coral Gables, FL 33134
- Over $12 Billion Recovered
- Serves Clients Nationwide
- Rated a National Tier 1 Law Firm by Best Lawyers for 2026
Nationwide Asbestos Law Firms Helping Clients in Florida
National asbestos law firms handle the majority of Florida mesothelioma cases because state-specific procedural requirements and multi-defendant litigation strategies require specialized resources. They have attorneys licensed to practice in Florida who will travel to your home or meet virtually, making it easy for you to access expert legal support from anywhere in the state.
Leading nationwide firms with a strong presence in Florida include Cooney & Conway, Galiger DeRobertis & Waxman, Nemeroff Law Firm, Simmons Hanly Conroy and Weitz & Luxenberg. Simmons Hanly Conroy, for example, has recovered more than $560 million for Florida families.
- $26 Billion Recovered Overall Verdicts & Settlements
- $13 Billion Recovered in Asbestos Cases
- Rated a National Tier 1 Law Firm by Best Lawyers for 2026
Compensation From Asbestos Filings in Florida
Compensation options depend on who is liable. Some defendants are active companies that negotiate settlements or face trial, while others filed for bankruptcy decades ago and now pay claims through asbestos trust funds. When multiple defendants are involved, your attorney may pursue several avenues at once. Florida mesothelioma cases typically settle, with national settlement averages ranging from $1 million to $1.4 million.
Notable Florida Settlements, Verdicts or Trust Fund Payouts
- $21 Million: Richard Batchelor was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2015. He worked at power plants in Florida. He and his wife filed a mesothelioma lawsuit against Florida Power & Light Co., Foster Wheeler and Bechtel Corp. In 2016, a Florida jury awarded them this amount for damages including pain, suffering and disability.
- $18 Million: In March 2025, a Florida jury found that brake dust contributed to Denise Cook’s mesothelioma, holding Hennessy Industries 15% responsible. The company was ordered to pay $2.7 million of the $18 million verdict, while the remaining 85% of liability was assigned to 15 other entities, including auto parts manufacturers and Johnson & Johnson. Cook claims she was exposed to asbestos through her family’s work on car brakes.
- $8.5 Million: In the late 1970s to the mid-1980s, Dennis Britt worked in various facilities as an employee benefits advisor. He developed mesothelioma and sued the companies that owned the facilities. In 2017, a Florida jury awarded his estate this amount.
- $6.6 Million: From 1972 to 1974, William Aubin was exposed to Union Carbide’s asbestos pellets made of 99.9% asbestos. Aubin developed peritoneal mesothelioma and filed a lawsuit against Union Carbide. A Florida jury issued this verdict in 2016 in his favor.
Many plaintiffs prefer mesothelioma settlements because they provide faster compensation for mesothelioma without the uncertainty, stress and time required for a trial verdict. When defendants refuse to offer fair compensation, experienced attorneys take cases to trial. Florida juries have delivered 8-figure verdicts. Law firms with experience handling asbestos exposure cases also regularly secure 6-figure payouts from asbestos trust funds.
Trust Fund Payouts for Florida Claimants
People with mesothelioma in Florida may be eligible to file claims against asbestos trust funds if the companies responsible for their exposure filed for bankruptcy and established a trust. More than 60 asbestos trust funds hold more than $30 billion set aside for people diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases. Trust fund payouts average $300,000 to $400,000 per claim and can begin within 90 days of filing.
An experienced mesothelioma attorney reviews your exposure history to determine which trust funds you may qualify for and handles those claims along with any active litigation. Because many Florida cases involve multiple defendants, both bankrupt and active, your attorney may pursue trust claims, settlements and trial verdicts on your behalf.
How Does an Asbestos Lawyer Handle Your Claim in Florida
A mesothelioma lawyer will investigate your asbestos exposure, gather medical evidence, file your lawsuit and negotiate for compensation. They ensure your case meets Florida’s strict requirements under the Asbestos and Silica Compensation Fairness Act, a state law that sets mandatory medical documentation standards, exposure history requirements and liability rules for asbestos claims, throughout the process.
Steps to a Mesothelioma Claim
- Detailed case review: Your attorney first reviews your medical records, diagnosis and exposure history to confirm eligibility. They identify how, when and where asbestos exposure occurred, often through job sites, military service or products used in Florida.
- Explore your history of exposure: Your legal team investigates Florida asbestos sites like Tampa Shipbuilding Company, shipyards in Jacksonville and Pensacola, Kennedy Space Center, Crystal River and Turkey Point nuclear power plants and phosphate mines like Mulberry. They connect these locations to your job sites, military service or products to build solid claims.
- Gather key proof: Lawyers gather medical documentation, work history and witness testimony linking your illness to asbestos exposure. Your attorney will investigate whether companies like Tampa Shipbuilding knew about asbestos dangers in materials used for insulation and fireproofing in boilers, pipes and engine rooms. In Florida, attorneys must provide strong proof of significant exposure and a clear connection between the disease and asbestos products.
- Complete your claim filing: Your lawyer files the claim in the appropriate court or asbestos trust. They ensure your case meets all timing and evidence requirements under Florida Statutes Chapter 774.
- Pre-trial discovery: Both sides gather and present evidence while questioning witnesses through depositions. Your attorney handles these proceedings while building your case and ensuring your claim follows Florida’s legal standards.
- Negotiating settlement or trial: Most mesothelioma cases in Florida result in a settlement. If the defendants don’t offer fair compensation, your lawyer will take the case to trial. Attorneys work to secure full compensation for medical expenses, lost income and financial support for your family.
An experienced Florida asbestos lawyer keeps you informed throughout the process. They pursue all available compensation sources, including settlements, verdicts and asbestos trust funds.
$30B+ IN TRUST FUNDS AVAILABLE
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Get Help NowAsbestos Exposure in Florida
While Florida has no natural asbestos deposits, the state has high mesothelioma incidence because of widespread occupational exposure in construction, shipyards, power plants and military bases. Many Florida workers have been exposed to asbestos on jobsites over decades. Old buildings across the state still contain asbestos in tiles, cement roofing and other construction materials. Some Florida residents developed mesothelioma after working in other states and retiring to Florida.
Sites in Florida Known for Asbestos Exposure
- Atlantic Dry Dock and Offshore Shipbuilding Co.
- Big Bear Powerhouse
- Camp Blanding Army Base
- Crist Power Plant
- Crystal River Nuclear Plant
- Florida State University
- Gulf Marine Repair Corporation
- Kennedy Space Center
- Mayport Navy Station
- Mulberry Phosphate Mine
- Pensacola Naval Air Station
- St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant
- Tampa Bay Shipbuilding
- Turkey Point Nuclear Generating Station
- Vero Beach Municipal Power Plant
Since 1982, Florida has operated a state program to monitor asbestos removal and prevent fibers from becoming airborne. The Florida DEP Asbestos Removal Program requires advance notification before asbestos removal in schools, businesses, government buildings, factories, apartment buildings with 4 or more units, ships and waste sites.
Florida’s Most Well-Known Exposure Site: Tampa Shipbuilding Company
The Tampa Shipbuilding Company or TASCO, operated as a major shipyard in Tampa, Florida, from 1917 to 1948. Rapid expansion during World War II made TASCO Tampa’s largest employer, with a workforce peaking at 16,000. The shipyard built hundreds of vessels, including cargo ships, destroyer tenders, minesweepers and destroyer escorts, across its 62-acre waterfront facility and completed around 494 vessels in total.
Widespread asbestos exposure became a defining aspect of the TASCO work environment. Shipbuilding at the time depended heavily on asbestos-based materials for insulation and fireproofing, affecting boilers, pipes, engine rooms and bulkheads. Employees, along with their families exposed secondhand, faced significant risks for asbestos-related diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. This legacy has established TASCO as a central figure in Tampa’s industrial past and a focal point for asbestos litigation throughout Florida.
Occupational Asbestos Exposure in Florida
Florida had 5 asbestos processing plants and people who worked in shipyards, chemical plants, metal shops, auto repair and older buildings like schools facing high exposure risks as well. Some workers unknowingly brought asbestos dust home on their clothes, exposing their family members through secondhand exposure.
Florida Occupations With Higher Asbestos Risks
- Aerospace workers
- Automotive repair
- Chemical plant workers
- Commercial and residential construction, especially before 1980
- Demolition workers
- Electricians
- Plumbers
- Phosphate miners
- Power generation workers
- Shipbuilders
Florida laws help protect people from asbestos exposure, ensuring licensed asbestos removal companies eliminate or contain asbestos safely. The state also has rules that let people hold asbestos companies accountable for the diseases their products caused.
Florida courts recognize take-home exposure claims, as the $18 million Cook verdict demonstrated. Family members exposed to asbestos through a worker’s contaminated clothing can pursue lawsuits and trust fund claims.
Continued Learning
Asbestos Manufacturers
How Your Lawyer Supports You in Florida’s Changing Asbestos Litigation
Florida’s asbestos litigation rules have grown significantly more defendant-friendly since 2023. An experienced lawyer manages tighter deadlines, mandatory medical documentation and the damages restrictions introduced by recent tort reform, working to protect your claim at every stage.
Florida Statutes Chapter 774, known as the Asbestos and Silica Compensation Fairness Act, sets strict procedural requirements for filing asbestos claims, including mandatory medical documentation of physical impairment, detailed exposure histories and statute of limitations rules. House Bill 837, signed in March 2023, introduced major tort reforms that changed how damages are presented and argued in court. Together, these laws require attorneys who stay current on both the procedural and damages frameworks to build an effective case.
Florida lawyers actively manage all case details, from filing lawsuits to trust fund claims, making sure each step complies with current state law. They identify the best court or jurisdiction for your claim and adjust strategies as the legal landscape shifts.
| Florida Law | Year | What It Requires | What It Means for Your Case |
| Florida Statutes Chapter 774 (Asbestos and Silica Compensation Fairness Act) | Enacted July 1, 2005 | Mandatory medical documentation of physical impairment; detailed exposure history; statute of limitations rules; successor liability clarifications | You must work with an attorney who knows how to compile the required medical evidence within the filing deadline |
| House Bill 837 | Signed March 24, 2023 | Major tort reform that changed how damages, especially medical damages, are presented and argued in court | You need an attorney experienced with the new damages framework to pursue full compensation |
Common Questions About Lawsuits in Florida
- How much does it cost to hire a mesothelioma lawyer in Florida?
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Florida mesothelioma attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront costs and no out-of-pocket expenses at any point in the process. Attorneys front all case costs, including filing fees and expert witness fees, and deduct them from your settlement or verdict at the end. The contingency model ensures that anyone who needs legal help in Florida can access it regardless of their financial situation.
As Carl Money, mesothelioma attorney at Nemeroff Law Firm, tells us, “It does not cost anything to hire a mesothelioma attorney in Florida. A mesothelioma attorney represents you on a contingency fee basis (no win, no fee) so that you have no out-of-pocket costs. The mesothelioma attorney only receives a fee if they obtain compensation for you and your heirs.”
- What is the process of filing a mesothelioma lawsuit in Florida?
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Filing a mesothelioma lawsuit in Florida starts with confirming your diagnosis, then working with an attorney to identify defendants, file in the appropriate jurisdiction and pursue trial claims and trust fund claims. A national firm that specializes in mesothelioma cases brings the resources, case history and jurisdictional knowledge needed to navigate Florida’s courts. Your attorney determines the best strategy for pursuing litigation against responsible companies and filing trust fund claims on your behalf.
As Carl Money, mesothelioma attorney at Nemeroff Law Firm, tells us, “You must find a national firm that specializes in representing mesothelioma cases, and they will determine the best jurisdiction to pursue litigation against the asbestos companies in Florida and to file claims against the asbestos trusts.”
- What is the average payout for people with mesothelioma in Florida?
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Mesothelioma cases nationally typically settle for $1 million to $1.4 million, with trust fund claims often adding $300,000 to $400,000 in additional recovery. Florida verdicts have ranged from $1 million to $20 million depending on exposure history, whether responsible companies can pay and where the case is filed. Compensation varies based on the severity of the diagnosis, the duration and intensity of asbestos exposure, the number of defendants and the value of applicable trust fund claims.
As Carl Money, mesothelioma attorney at Nemeroff Law Firm, tells us, “There is no average payout for mesothelioma victims in Florida or any other state. Any compensation is determined by the evidence obtained against the asbestos companies pursued in litigation and asbestos companies in which claims were filed against the asbestos trusts.”
- How long do I have to file a mesothelioma lawsuit in Florida?
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Florida applies strict filing deadlines to both mesothelioma personal injury and wrongful death claims, and missing the window can permanently bar your case. The deadline clock generally starts at the date of diagnosis, not the date of exposure, but the exact filing window depends on the type of claim and your specific circumstances. An experienced mesothelioma attorney can confirm your deadline during a free case review. Even if the lawsuit filing window has closed, asbestos trust fund claims may still be available.
- Who can file a mesothelioma lawsuit in Florida?
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In Florida, any person diagnosed with a confirmed mesothelioma or asbestos-related lung cancer diagnosis can file a personal injury lawsuit. If the patient has passed away, a spouse, children or estate representative can file a wrongful death claim. Family members who developed mesothelioma through secondhand exposure to a worker’s contaminated clothing can also pursue lawsuits and trust fund claims in Florida.
- Does Florida’s tort reform affect mesothelioma cases?
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Yes. Florida’s 2023 tort reforms under House Bill 837 changed how damages are calculated and presented in court, particularly medical damages. The Asbestos and Silica Compensation Fairness Act also bans punitive damages in most asbestos cases, meaning compensation comes from medical costs, lost income and pain and suffering. These changes make experienced national firm representation more important than ever for Florida mesothelioma patients.
