Filing Mesothelioma Lawsuits 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.
Key Facts About Florida Asbestos Litigation
- A mesothelioma victim has four years from the date of their diagnosis to file a mesothelioma lawsuit, and the family of a deceased mesothelioma victim has two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim on the victim’s behalf.
- Florida has designated asbestos divisions in several courts, allowing for efficient and specialized adjudication of asbestos cases.
- The state has a large population of retirees who were exposed to asbestos in other jurisdictions in the past but now qualify for filing in Florida based on current residence. An experienced mesothelioma attorney will take advantage of this option to ensure maximum recovery for their clients.
- The Cutting-Edge Issues in Asbestos Litigation Conference was held in Miami in March 2025, bringing together industry leaders to discuss issues such as top emerging trends in asbestos litigation and the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the future of asbestos litigation.
Florida’s mesothelioma diagnoses and deaths are the second highest in the nation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 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 who develop mesothelioma, or their loved ones, may be eligible to file lawsuits and claims.
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.
Residents may continue to risk exposure today at jobsites or in buildings where old asbestos products remain.
Florida residents in numerous cities and towns across the state have filed mesothelioma lawsuits to seek compensation from manufacturers and distributors of asbestos. A higher portion of mesothelioma claimants come from the following cities and towns:
- Boca Raton, FL
- Boynton Beach, FL
- Bradenton, FL
- Cape Coral, FL
- Delray Beach, FL
- Fort Myers, FL
- Jacksonville, FL
- Lakeland, FL
- Miami, FL
- Naples, FL
- Ocala, FL
- Orlando, FL
- Panama City, FL
- Pensacola
- Port St. Lucie, FL
- Punta Gorda, FL
- Saint Petersburg, FL
- Sarasota, FL
- Sebastian, FL
- Stuart, FL
- Tampa, 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.
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.
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.
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.
The following law firms can help people living in Florida file their mesothelioma claims:
More Information About These Top Florida Mesothelioma Law Firms
These law firms work on behalf of clients to make the legal process easy, convenient and comfortable for them. The lawyers at these firms are skilled and experienced at finding and understanding the details of each case. They can use their research and expertise to identify the most favorable place to file a case, which is not always the state a person lives in. Asbestos lawyers can work to ensure the best financial outcome for patients and their families.
- ELSM: Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney and Meisenkothen partner Kyle Navin is licensed to practice in Florida and the firm has represented over 350 mesothelioma victims residing in the state. A recent ELSM client from Florida settled his mesothelioma lawsuit for $6 million in 2024 – 2025. ELSM has an office in Orlando.
- Ferraro Law Firm: The Ferraro Law Firm is headquartered at 600 Brickell Avenue, Suite 3800, Miami, FL. They have represented thousands of asbestos clients from Florida over the past 20+ years. The Ferraro team is well-versed in navigating the procedural rules, judicial preferences, and medical evidentiary standards unique to asbestos litigation in Florida.
- The Gori Law Firm: The Gori Law Firm has represented thousands of mesothelioma clients across the country and hundreds in Florida. The Gori team has two licensed Florida attorneys working out of their Florida office located at 37 N. Orange Avenue, Suite 226, Orlando, FL.
- DOBS, LLP: The mesothelioma law firm of Dean Omar Branham Shirley has extensive experience trying mesothelioma cases to verdict in jurisdictions across the country. Florida residents that were exposed to asbestos in other states will have multiple options where to file their mesothelioma lawsuit and DOBS attorneys will consult with their clients to choose the most advantageous jurisdiction.
Resources for Mesothelioma Patients
Experienced Mesothelioma Lawyers Licensed to Practice in Florida
The following experienced mesothelioma lawyers are all licensed to practice in the state of Florida and have represented numerous clients to successful results:
Marc P. Kunen of The Ferraro Law Firm is an experienced and knowledgeable attorney in Miami, Florida. Attorney Kunen has secured several multimillion-dollar mesothelioma verdicts on behalf of his mesothelioma clients, including a $70 million verdict that was the third-largest verdict in the State of Florida in 2019. He has been named to the National Trial Lawyer’s “Top 40 Under 40” and has served on the Board of Directors for the Miami-Dade Trial Lawyers Association since 2016.
Kyle Navin of Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney & Meisenkothen works on behalf of Florida mesothelioma victims in litigation matters, pursues arbitrations against asbestos bankruptcy trusts and represents clients in their claims for disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs as a VA accredited attorney.
James L. Ferraro Jr. of The Ferraro Law Firm is a Florida trial attorney based in Miami and has been involved in several multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements, including a $17 million verdict on behalf of a mesothelioma victim in Miami-Dade County. Attorney Ferraro graduated from the University of Miami School of Law and has been named a “Top 40 Under 40 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyer in Florida” and “Top 40 Under 40” lawyer in South Florida.
Samuel D. Elswick of The Gori Law Firm is a Florida-licensed attorney and has been representing Florida mesothelioma victims and their families for nearly fifteen years.
Lisa Shirley of Dean Omar Branham Shirley, LLP graduated law school in 1999 and went on to work for a judge in the Louisiana Supreme Court then received a fellowship to litigate civil rights cases for legal services clients in Florida. In 2006, attorney Shirley began representing Florida clients harmed by asbestos, specializing in writing legal briefs to advocate for her clients on many legal issues that arise in mesothelioma cases. In 2003, Attorney Shirley was awarded The Florida Bar Foundation Steven M. Goldstein Award for Excellence.
Andres F. Montero of The Gori Law Firm began his practice in civil litigation focusing on high-volume plaintiff lawsuits and honing his courtroom skills before shifting his focus to advocating for Florida individuals and families affected by asbestos-containing products. Attorney Montero earned his Juris Doctor degree at St. Thomas University School of Law in Miami Gardens, FL.
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.
In May 2025, a Florida jury awarded $18 million to a 64-year-old peritoneal mesothelioma victim for her secondary exposure to brake dust from her father, who worked grinding brake pads that contained asbestos. 15% of the liability was assigned to Hennessy Industries, the maker of the Ammco brake grinder used by the woman’s father. The remaining liability was assigned to other entities not involved in the trial, including auto parts manufacturers and Johnson & Johnson.
A 2019 mesothelioma verdict involved a former biopharmaceutical laboratory technician and his wife. The technician was diagnosed with mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos-containing brakes and clutches in centrifuges manufactured by GEA Mechanical Equipment. 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.
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.
Asbestos Litigation Trends in Florida
While no single Florida jurisdiction was in the top 15 nationally, the state of Florida as a whole was ranked in the top 15 states for the total number of asbestos-related disease lawsuit filings in 2024.
Talc Exposure in Florida
Florida jurisdictions also saw significant growth in talc-exposure filings in 2024, with Miami-Dade County talc filings doubling year-over-year. While the majority of talc-related mesothelioma lawsuits in Florida result in settlements, one Florida woman sued Johnson & Johnson in 2020 and received a jury verdict. The plaintiff’s exposure to the company’s asbestos-contaminated talcum powder led to her peritoneal mesothelioma diagnosis. In March 2024, another Florida mesothelioma trial against Johnson & Johnson resulted in a mistrial when the Miami-Dade jury hearing the case could not come to an agreement on a verdict. The plaintiff in that case was seeking $14 million in compensatory damages.
