Why Choose Meirowitz & Wasserberg for Your Florida Case
When you’re facing a mesothelioma diagnosis in Florida, you need a law firm that knows the ins and outs of the legal landscape in Florida, knows how to win in Florida courts and won’t walk away from a hard case. Meirowitz & Wasserberg has recovered over $800 million for mesothelioma clients, ranks among the top-10 asbestos case filers in the country and has handled 300+ mesothelioma cases. Our attorneys bring 30+ years of combined asbestos litigation experience to every case. We have offices in Fort Lauderdale and Naples, and we’re available 24/7.
Our Track Record in Florida
Our attorneys know Florida’s courts, its industrial history and the asbestos manufacturers that put workers at risk. From Jacksonville shipyards to phosphate mines in Polk County, we’ve helped Florida clients hold corporations accountable. Our Fort Lauderdale and Naples offices mean you’ll always have local support every step of the way.
Cases We Won That Other Firms Declined
Some mesothelioma cases are complex. Other firms turn them away. We don’t. Here are three examples:
- $4 million: Puerto Rican sugar mill mechanic whose case another firm had already declined.
- $3.4 million: Navy boiler tender who passed away before he could testify on his own behalf.
- $2.3 million: Awarded to a school custodian who couldn’t identify the manufacturers of the asbestos-containing products in his school.
These Florida cases weren’t easy. That’s exactly why we took them. If you’ve been told your case isn’t winnable, contact us before you give up. We evaluate every case for free and you pay nothing unless we win.
Asbestos Exposure Sites in Florida
Florida’s industrial history put thousands of workers at risk. Throughout the 20th century, shipbuilding, power generation, phosphate mining and military installations brought large quantities of asbestos into Florida workplaces. Many people who worked in these industries are only now receiving diagnoses.
Shipyards and Naval Bases
Florida’s coastline made it a hub for both military and commercial shipbuilding. Workers at these sites, including boiler tenders, pipefitters, machinists and electricians, had some of the highest asbestos exposure rates of any occupation. Known exposure sites include:
- Jacksonville Naval Air Station
- Key West Naval Air Station
- Mayport Naval Station, Jacksonville
- Pensacola Naval Air Station
- Tampa Bay Shipbuilding facilities
Asbestos appeared in ship insulation, engine rooms, boiler systems and pipe fittings. Navy veterans who served at Florida installations may have legal options beyond VA benefits.
Power Plants and Energy Facilities
Power plant workers handled asbestos insulation around boilers, turbines and piping systems for decades. Florida has several major facilities with known asbestos histories, including:
- Crystal River Nuclear Plant
- Florida Power & Light facilities
- St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant
- Turkey Point Nuclear Generating Station
If you worked at one of these sites, you may have faced significant asbestos exposure.
Construction and Industrial Sites
Florida’s construction boom from the 1950s through the 1980s put asbestos-containing materials into buildings across the state. Floor tiles, ceiling tiles, roofing materials, pipe insulation and joint compounds all commonly contained asbestos during this period. Major exposure sites include:
- Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral
- Large commercial construction projects across Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville and Orlando
Workers who built, maintained or demolished these structures faced significant exposure risks. Family members faced secondhand asbestos exposure risks, too, as microscopic asbestos fibers traveled home on workers’ clothing and skin.
Phosphate Mining and Manufacturing
Florida’s Bone Valley region, spanning Polk, Hillsborough, Manatee and Hardee counties, was one of the country’s most productive phosphate mining areas. Phosphate processing facilities used asbestos-containing equipment throughout operations, exposing miners and plant workers to dangerous levels of asbestos fibers. Citrus processing plants in Central Florida also used asbestos-containing materials in their facilities.
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Where in Florida is Asbestos Found?
There are a variety of places in Florida where tradesmen and other people can be exposed to asbestos. First, residential exposures include asbestos found in floor tiles, ceiling tiles, roofing, siding, and joint compound on drywall at the seams. Additionally, there are major job sites in Florida where people have been exposed to asbestos. These include Florida Power and Light plants, naval shipyards like those in Port, where Navy personnel have been exposed, and nuclear power plants like Turkey Point. There are many different types of job sites, both commercial and residential, where someone could be exposed to asbestos in Florida.
Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit in Florida
The best option for filing a mesothelioma lawsuit in Florida is to start with a law firm with a track record of winning cases in the state. A law firm like ours has years of experience representing Floridians because we understand the state’s litigation process. We are also familiar with Florida’s statute of limitations.
Florida’s Statute of Limitations
Florida law gives mesothelioma patients two years to file a lawsuit under FL Statute section 95.11. That clock starts at the date of diagnosis, not the date of exposure. For mesothelioma wrongful death claims, the two-year period starts at the date of death. Contact an attorney as soon as possible after a diagnosis to protect your legal rights.
Impact of HB 837 on Mesothelioma Cases
Florida passed House Bill 837 in March 2023, a tort reform law that changed several aspects of civil litigation in the state. Key changes affect comparative fault standards, evidence admissibility and damages calculations in mesothelioma cases.
Steps to File Your Florida Claim
Meirowitz & Wasserberg handles every step of the process on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win. Here’s what to expect:
- Free case evaluation with our team
- Investigation of your exposure history, including Florida worksites and military service
- Medical record collection and review
- Identification of liable asbestos manufacturers and employers
- Filing your lawsuit in the appropriate Florida court
- Discovery, depositions and case preparation
- Settlement negotiation or trial
You don’t need to navigate this alone. Our team handles everything so you can focus on your health and your family.
Start Your Free Consultation NowFlorida Mesothelioma Settlement Amounts & Case Results
Meirowitz & Wasserberg has recovered $3.4 million in damages for clients with mesothelioma, up to $32 million in Florida. No two cases are alike, but our track record at Meirowitz & Wasserberg shows what’s possible when an experienced mesothelioma law firm fights for you. We’ve taken on cases other firms declined and won. Here are some of our most notable results:
Notable Verdicts and Settlements
| Amount | Case Description |
|---|---|
| $32M+ | Secondhand asbestos exposure verdict |
| $18M | Mesothelioma from talcum powder exposure |
| $5.5M | Navy boiler tender and power company employee |
| $5.1M+ | Navy machinist’s mate turned civilian mechanic |
| $4M+ | Puerto Rican sugar mill mechanic (case declined by another firm) |
| $3.6M | Navy boiler tender, CIA HQ boiler rooms |
| $3.4M+ | Navy boiler tender who passed away before he could testify on his own behalf |
Past results don’t guarantee future outcomes. Every case is unique.
Average Settlement Ranges
Mesothelioma settlements vary widely based on exposure history, diagnosis type, military service and the specific defendants involved. Settlements typically range from $1 million to $2 million according to Mealey’s Litigation Report. Our team evaluates every case individually during a free consultation to help you understand what compensation you may qualify for.
To discuss the potential value of your Florida mesothelioma case, contact our team for a free, confidential consultation. We are available 24/7.
Compensation Options for Florida Mesothelioma Patients
Florida mesothelioma patients have more than one path to compensation. Depending on your exposure history and diagnosis, you may qualify for multiple sources of financial recovery at the same time. Meirowitz & Wasserberg law firm helps clients identify and pursue every available option.
Asbestos Trust Funds
When asbestos companies go bankrupt, courts require them to establish trust funds to compensate people they’ve harmed. More than 60 asbestos companies have established these funds, with billions of dollars available to eligible claimants. Florida residents can file claims against multiple trust funds simultaneously, depending on their exposure history. Our team identifies every applicable trust fund and handles the filing process for you.
VA Claims for Florida Veterans
Florida has one of the largest veteran populations in the country. Veterans who faced asbestos exposure during military service, particularly in Navy, shipyard and construction roles, may qualify for VA disability compensation. Importantly, VA benefits don’t prevent you from also filing a civil lawsuit. Meirowitz & Wasserberg handles both VA claims and civil litigation for veteran mesothelioma clients.
Workers’ Compensation
Florida workers’ compensation may cover some medical costs for occupational asbestos exposure, but it rarely provides enough for mesothelioma patients and their families. Filing a civil lawsuit against asbestos manufacturers is separate from and in addition to any workers’ comp claim. Our team helps clients pursue all available compensation pathways so our clients never leave compensation on the table.
Occupations With Higher Asbestos Risk in Florida
Certain Florida workers faced asbestos exposure on the job. If you worked in any of these occupations, you may have a valid mesothelioma claim. Asbestos exposure doesn’t always cause immediate symptoms and many people don’t receive a diagnosis until decades later.
Florida Occupations With Elevated Risk of Asbestos Exposure
- Auto mechanics: Brake and clutch repair work exposed mechanics to asbestos fibers in shops across Florida.
- Construction workers: Insulators, drywall installers, roofers and electricians who worked during Florida’s construction boom regularly handled asbestos-containing building materials.
- Firefighters: Florida firefighters were exposed to asbestos during structure fires and building demolitions.
- Navy and military personnel: Service members at Florida’s naval bases faced significant asbestos exposure in ships, submarines and on-base facilities.
- Phosphate miners: Workers at processing plants in Florida’s Bone Valley region handled asbestos-containing equipment throughout their careers.
- Power plant workers: Maintenance technicians and boiler operators at Florida Power & Light, Turkey Point and other facilities worked directly with asbestos insulation around boilers, turbines and piping systems.
- Schoolteachers and custodians: Older school buildings across Florida contained asbestos in floor tiles, ceiling tiles and insulation.
- Shipyard workers: Florida’s naval installations at Jacksonville, Pensacola and Key West employed thousands of boiler tenders, welders, pipefitters and machinists who handled asbestos-containing materials daily.
If you worked in any of these occupations and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact our team for a free case evaluation.
Common Questions About Florida Mesothelioma Lawsuits
What is the statute of limitations for mesothelioma lawsuits in Florida?
Florida imposes a two-year statute of limitations for mesothelioma lawsuits under FL Statute section 95.11. The clock starts at the date of diagnosis, not the date of exposure. For wrongful death claims, the 2-year period starts at the date of death. Consulting an attorney promptly after a diagnosis is critical to preserve your legal rights.
How much does it cost to hire a Florida mesothelioma lawyer?
Meirowitz & Wasserberg handles all Florida mesothelioma cases on a contingency fee basis. There are no upfront costs or out-of-pocket expenses. The firm only collects a fee if we recover compensation for you.
What are the largest mesothelioma settlements in Florida?
Mesothelioma settlements in Florida vary significantly based on exposure history, diagnosis and defendants involved. Meirowitz & Wasserberg has recovered an individual mesothelioma verdict in Florida exceeding $32 million. Our team evaluates every case individually during a free consultation. Past results don’t guarantee future outcomes.
Where was asbestos commonly used in Florida?
Workers and builders used asbestos extensively at Florida shipyards in Jacksonville, Pensacola and Tampa Bay, power plants including Florida Power & Light facilities, Turkey Point and Crystal River, military bases, construction sites and phosphate mining operations in the Bone Valley region. Residential building materials throughout the state also commonly contained asbestos.
Can I file a mesothelioma lawsuit if asbestos exposure occurred decades ago?
Yes. Pleural mesothelioma and other forms of the disease typically develop 20 to 60 years after asbestos exposure. Florida’s statute of limitations starts at the date of diagnosis, not the date of exposure. Even if your exposure occurred 30 or 40 years ago at a Florida shipyard or construction site, you may still have a valid claim.
Who qualifies for asbestos trust fund compensation?
People diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases after exposure at work, through asbestos-containing products, through secondary household exposure or through environmental sources may qualify. Family members of people who passed away from asbestos-related disease may also file claims. Meirowitz & Wasserberg helps Florida clients identify and file claims with all applicable trust funds.
Do I need to travel to file a Florida mesothelioma lawsuit?
No. Meirowitz & Wasserberg has offices in Fort Lauderdale and Naples, but our team handles cases for Florida residents regardless of their current location. We conduct consultations and arrange in-home depositions if needed, and we manage the entire legal process for you.
Contact Florida Mesothelioma Lawyers at Meirowitz & Wasserberg Today
A mesothelioma diagnosis is overwhelming. As a Floridian, you shouldn’t have to navigate the legal system while also fighting for your health when you have an experienced law firm like ours in the state. Our team handles everything so you can focus on your family and your treatment. We take on cases other firms have turned away, and we don’t collect a fee unless we win.
Florida’s two-year statute of limitations means time matters. The sooner you contact us, the more options we can pursue for you. Meirowitz & Wasserberg has offices in Fort Lauderdale and Naples, and our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We offer free, confidential case evaluations with no obligation and no upfront costs.
Speak With A Lawyer NowAbout The Author
Daniel Wasserberg
Founding Partner
Daniel Wasserberg, a founding partner of Meirowitz & Wasserberg, is a Best Lawyers-recognized and Super Lawyers-rated mesothelioma attorney with over 20 years of experience. Named a Top 100 Trial Lawyer and Top 10 Asbestos-Mesothelioma Lawyer, he leads the firm's national asbestos practice.
