Mesothelioma & Asbestos Law Firm In Florida

Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney & Meisenkothen (ELSM) focuses exclusively on mesothelioma cases. We help victims and their families pursue mesothelioma compensation following a diagnosis. Florida mesothelioma lawyers represent clients in communities across the state, including Pensacola, Jacksonville and Miami. Our attorneys handle the legal work and guide you through each step, so you can focus on treatment and spending time with your family.

Request a Free Case Evaluation

Filing Mesothelioma Lawsuits in Florida

For some mesothelioma patients and families, filing a lawsuit may feel overwhelming while they are already managing treatment and medical appointments. A mesothelioma lawyer in Florida guides you through each step of the legal process, providing clear communication and compassionate support along the way.

At ELSM Law, we investigate potential sources of your asbestos exposure, identify the negligent companies, and gather the records needed to support your claim. We’ll determine whether filing a mesothelioma lawsuit in Florida is an appropriate option based on the facts of your case.

Our Florida Office

Mesothelioma Compensation in Florida

Mesothelioma compensation can provide financial relief following a diagnosis. Patients use legal compensation to cover medical expenses, lost income, travel to specialty treatment centers, and other costs. A mesothelioma law firm in Florida evaluates your individual situation and guides you through the compensation options that make sense for your case.

Compensation may be available through several sources, including:

• Mesothelioma lawsuits
• Asbestos trust funds claims
• Workers’ compensation claims
• VA benefits

Each option depends on your work history and exposure details. An experienced attorney can review the specifics of your case and suggest a plan of action.

Meet Our Florida Mesothelioma Lawyers

Asbestos lawyers at ELSM Law have represented mesothelioma clients in Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando, and many other towns and cities in Florida. Our team is passionate about holding asbestos companies responsible for their actions and securing financial compensation for victims. The following attorneys from ELSM Law are licensed to practice in the state of Florida:

Florida Mesothelioma Statute of Limitations

Florida law limits the amount of time mesothelioma patients and their families have to file a lawsuit.

• Personal injury lawsuits: Mesothelioma patients generally have four years from the date of diagnosis to file a Florida mesothelioma claim.
• Wrongful death lawsuits: Families generally have two years from the date of death to file a Florida mesothelioma claim.

Florida follows the discovery rule for asbestos claims. Under Florida Statute 774.206, the filing deadline generally begins when a person discovers, or reasonably should have discovered, that they have an asbestos-related disease. The filing deadline therefore starts at diagnosis, not at the time of asbestos exposure. This matters because mesothelioma often develops decades after exposure.

Florida's laws for mesothelioma lawsuits and filing deadlines can be difficult to navigate without legal guidance. A Florida mesothelioma lawyer can review your case, explain your options, and help ensure important deadlines are met. Taking action as soon as possible after a diagnosis can help preserve your legal rights and potential sources of compensation.

Mesothelioma Settlements for Clients Living in Florida

The following mesothelioma settlements highlight compensation recovered for clients living in Florida. Settlement amounts vary from case to case, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

State	Disease	Occupation / Exposure	Age	~ Monies to Date
FL	Mesothelioma	Cosmetic Talc User	37	~$11,400,000
FL	Mesothelioma	Nurse	60	~$10,800,000
FL	Mesothelioma	Home Renovator / Air Force Veteran	50	~$9,400,000
FL	Mesothelioma	Navy Worker / Operating Engineer	57	~$7,100,000
FL	Mesothelioma	Woodworker	75	~$6,800,000
FL	Mesothelioma	Navy Worker	84	~$6,700,000
FL	Mesothelioma	Insulator / Construction Worker	82	~$6,100,000
FL	Mesothelioma	Army Veteran / Laborer	68	~$5,900,000

Jobsites in Florida with Documented Mesothelioma Cases

Asbestos exposure in the workplace remains one of the most common causes of mesothelioma in Florida. Thousands of jobsites throughout the state have put unsuspecting workers at risk.

ELSM mesothelioma lawyers have represented clients who worked at the following major jobsites in Florida:

• Anheuser Busch Inc - Jacksonville
• Bellinger Shipyard - Jacksonville
• Cecil Field Naval Air Station - Jacksonville
• Chemstrand Chemical - Pensacola
• Crystal River Nuclear Plant - Crystal River
• Florida Power & Light - Miami
• Florida Power & Light Company - Palatka, Tampa
• Florida Pulp & Paper Company - Pensacola
• Florida Steel Corporation - Tampa
• International Paper - Miami
• Jacksonville Naval Air Station - Jacksonville
• Kennedy Space Center - Cape Canaveral
• Lakeland Power Plant - Tampa
• Mayport Naval Station - Jacksonville
• Miami Beach Convention Center - Miami
• Miami Dade Drydock - Miami
• Miami Intl Airport - Miami
• Monsanto Chemical Company - Pensacola
• Pensacola Naval Air Station - Pensacola
• Rayonier - Fernandina Beach
• Saint Regis Paper Company - Jacksonville
• St. Regis Paper Company - Pensacola
• Tampa Shipyards, Inc. - Tampa
• University of Florida - Jacksonville
• Walt Disney World - Orlando

Asbestos exposure has occurred in many other jobsites in Florida as well. Our law firm can work with you or your loved one who was exposed to asbestos while on the job no matter where in Florida you live and work, either currently or in the past.

ELSM Mesothelioma Clients in Florida

The lawyers of ELSM Law have represented hundreds of mesothelioma clients across the state of Florida. Our clients live in the Florida cities and towns listed below:

Our Trusted Mesothelioma Law Firm Partners in Florida

When appropriate, ELSM partners with mesothelioma law firms in Florida to strengthen your legal team. This collaboration brings specialized experience to your case at no extra cost to you. Our Florida law firm partners maintain physical offices in the state. Together, we have represented hundreds of mesothelioma clients in Florida, helping secure top settlement results.

Ferraro Law has become one of our most trusted partners for mesothelioma clients with residency or past asbestos exposure in Florida. Ferraro Law has helped mesothelioma victims recover hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation. Ferraro Law's office is located at 600 Brickell Avenue, Suite 3800, in Miami.

These partnerships allow ELSM to offer the strength of a national firm with the deep local experience Florida asbestos exposure victims need.

Florida Asbestos Laws

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Florida ranks among the states with the highest number of mesothelioma deaths, reporting 3,676 fatalities between 1999 and 2020. Many of these deaths have been linked to asbestos exposure in shipyards, military facilities, and industrial jobsites. Understanding Florida's asbestos laws and safety regulations can help victims and their families better understand their rights and legal options.

Asbestos Litigation in Florida

Florida has several laws and regulations related to asbestos asbestos litigation. These laws help regulate how asbestos is handled, establish filing requirements for asbestos claims, and affect how compensation may be pursued after a mesothelioma diagnosis.

Florida asbestos lawsuits are primarily governed by the Asbestos and Silica Compensation Fairness Act (ASCFA), which is part of Florida Statutes Chapter 774. The law establishes requirements for asbestos claims, including medical evidence of an asbestos-related disease and information about a person's exposure history. Although it has been challenged, it remains the primary law governing asbestos claims in Florida courts.

Chapter 774 includes the "two-disease rule," which recognizes that asbestos-related cancers and non-cancerous asbestos diseases are different illnesses. As a result, a person who previously filed a claim for a non-cancerous asbestos-related disease may still be able to pursue compensation if they later develop mesothelioma or another asbestos-related cancer.

The law also includes rules that affect how asbestos claims are reviewed and processed in Florida courts.

After a mesothelioma diagnosis, families are often focused on treatment, and rightly so. That said, Florida asbestos laws include specific filing rules and deadlines, so it is important to understand how those requirements may apply before moving forward with a lawsuit. Kyle Navin
Florida Mesothelioma Lawyer

Asbestos Safety Guidelines in Florida

Florida has regulations designed to reduce asbestos exposure during demolition, renovation, and abatement work. The state follows the EPA’s National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP), which set requirements for handling and disposing of asbestos-containing materials.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) oversees asbestos abatement rules. Property owners and contractors may need to inspect buildings for asbestos and provide advance notice before starting work that could disturb asbestos materials, regardless of a building’s age.

Florida requires licensed asbestos consultants and contractors to complete state-approved training and certification programs and follow strict procedures for asbestos handling and removal. These requirements are designed to help prevent the release of asbestos fibers into the air and protect workers and the public.

These laws are important because asbestos exposure often occurs across multiple jobsites and over many years. An asbestos lawyer at ELSM Law can help determine how Florida asbestos laws may apply to your case and explain your legal options.

Frequently Asked Questions