Florida Asbestos Lawsuit

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that’s resistant to heat, fire, chemicals and doesn’t conduct electricity. It’s these properties that made its use so widespread before the EPA began issuing bans due to health concerns. Exposure to asbestos can lead to the development of severe asbestos-related illnesses. Conditions linked to asbestos include asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), from 1999 to 2022, Florida ranked 10th in the nation for mesothelioma diagnoses with 5,619 new cases. The state also ranked 10th for lung and bronchus cancer diagnoses during the same period, with 406,243 cases.

From 2018 to 2024, the CDC reported 1,187 mesothelioma deaths in Florida. During that same time, 75,053 people died due to lung and bronchus cancer.

Florida workers in several industries may have a higher risk of occupational asbestos exposure.

Auto mechanics

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned most new uses of asbestos in 1989. Many products contained asbestos, including automotive brakes, pads, clutches and gaskets.

Florida mechanics, especially those who work on older vehicles, may come into contact with asbestos dust when making repairs.

Construction

Asbestos was once widely used in building and construction materials. These include paint and patching compounds, insulation, pipe wraps, shingles and siding. The following workers may be at risk of exposure, especially when remodeling, repairing or demolishing older buildings:

• Bricklayers
• Carpenters
• Drywallers
• Electricians
• Glazers
• Insulators
• Maintenance workers
• Painters
• Pipefitters
• Platerers
• Plumbers
• Roofers
• Tile setters

Manufacturing, refining and energy production

Asbestos was used in many industrial and manufacturing settings, including sand and abrasive manufacturing, steel milling and mining. It was also used in energy production facilities, such as power plants and oil refineries.

Shipbuilding

Military and civilian workers in Florida’s shipyards are also at risk.

Shipyard asbestos can be found in:

• Adhesives
• Boilers and boiler coverings
• Bulkhead panels
• Heat-resistant textiles
• Insulation
• Joiner bulkhead systems
• Machinery parts
• Millboards
• Pipe coverings
• Vinyl floor tiles

Inhaling asbestos fibers is linked to severe health conditions, including asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer. Individuals who have been diagnosed with any of these diseases may be eligible to file a Florida asbestos lawsuit. Family members may also be eligible for an asbestos case if their loved one died from a condition linked to the substance.

To file a Florida mesothelioma claim, you must have a confirmed medical diagnosis. You must also have evidence of asbestos exposure that ties directly to your illness. Exposure could be first-hand and related to your occupation. Family members of workers may also suffer secondary exposure.

Defendants in asbestos cases may include manufacturers, distributors and suppliers of asbestos products, as well as employers and property owners.

The statute of limitations restricts how long you have to file a Florida asbestos lawsuit.

Asbestos-related diseases have long latency periods. Those exposed may not develop symptoms for up to 10 to 40+ years. A mesothelioma lawyer could answer questions about legal timelines and how they may affect your eligibility to file.

There are three ways asbestos victims in Florida may be able to pursue compensation for their illnesses and related losses:

• Asbestos bankruptcy trust claims: More than 60 asbestos bankruptcy trust funds were created to pay claims filed against companies that have gone bankrupt due to asbestos litigation.
• Personal injury lawsuits: If you were harmed, you may be able to file an individual personal injury lawsuit against an operational asbestos company. These suits are usually complex and highly fact specific.
• Wrongful death lawsuits: If your family member was diagnosed with and died from an asbestos-related disease, their survivors may be eligible to file a wrongful death case.

A Motley Rice asbestos lawyer could discuss these options with you in more detail.

In general, injured parties and their families may seek the following asbestos damages:

• Compensation from bankruptcy trusts: Bankruptcy trusts pay a portion of your losses, based on the severity of your medical condition. Each asbestos-related disease is assigned a liquidated value (a scheduled value), and every trust’s schedule is different.
• Economic damages: Economic damages include your actual, out-of-pocket expenses, such as medical bills, lost wages from missed work and the loss of your future earning capacity.
• Non-economic damages: Non-economic damages cover your physical, mental and emotional pain and suffering as well as harm to your overall quality of life.

Every asbestos claim is different, and past verdicts don’t predict future outcomes.

The first step in filing a Florida asbestos lawsuit is to get legal guidance from a mesothelioma lawyer.

Next, you’ll want to gather as much evidence as possible, such as your medical records and proof of employment history. Your lawyer will also help build your case with medical and scientific evidence, witness statements and expert testimony.

Your attorney will then file your claim and attempt to negotiate a settlement or litigate your case in civil court if necessary and possible. The goal is to secure the maximum compensation possible for your asbestos injury.

For decades, Motley Rice attorneys have taken a leading role in asbestos litigation. We have secured compensation for individuals and families through personal injury, wrongful death and product liability lawsuits, as well as through asbestos bankruptcy trust fund claims.

We understand the toll asbestos-related illnesses can take, and we fight tirelessly for those harmed. Our law firm has held numerous companies accountable for asbestos exposure, and we continue to litigate cases worldwide, often taking them to trial. If you were hurt, we are here to support you with experienced legal representation.

Read more on our asbestos exposure litigation experience.