Florida reports approximately 210 mesothelioma diagnoses per year, making it the third most affected state in the nation. Florida's significant military presence — including several major naval stations, air force bases, and the Kennedy Space Center — contributed heavily to asbestos exposure, particularly for veterans. The state also had active shipyards, construction booms in the postwar decades, and heavy manufacturing that exposed workers across multiple industries.
Asbestos Exposure History in Florida
Florida's military installations account for a large portion of the state's asbestos exposure history. Pensacola Naval Air Station, one of the oldest and largest naval air stations in the US, used asbestos in its facilities and aircraft maintenance operations for decades. Mayport Naval Station near Jacksonville served as a major Atlantic Fleet homeport where ship maintenance exposed thousands of workers. The Kennedy Space Center employed thousands of contractors who worked with asbestos insulation and fireproofing in the space program's early decades. Tampa's commercial shipyards also contributed significant exposure to civilian shipbuilding workers.
Key Asbestos Exposure Sites in Florida
- Mayport Naval Station (Jacksonville)
- Tampa Shipyards (Tampa)
- Pensacola Naval Air Station
- Kennedy Space Center (Cape Canaveral)
- Eglin Air Force Base (Okaloosa County)
- Port Everglades industrial facilities (Fort Lauderdale)
Documented Sites with Detailed Records
One of the busiest naval air stations in the Southeast. Aircraft maintenance personnel and Navy veterans were exposed to asbestos in aircraft insulation, barracks construction, and hangar fireproofing.
The "Cradle of Naval Aviation." Generations of Navy pilots and maintenance workers were trained here, where asbestos was prevalent in hangars, aircraft, and base facilities built through the 1970s.
A significant WWII-era shipbuilder in Tampa Bay. Workers fabricating Liberty ships and military vessels were exposed to large quantities of asbestos insulation throughout the facility.
FPL operated numerous coal and oil-fired generating stations throughout Florida. Power plant workers and maintenance contractors were repeatedly exposed to asbestos in boilers, turbines, and electrical equipment.
Home to the Atlantic Fleet's destroyer and submarine force. Navy personnel stationed here and civilian workers performing ship repairs were exposed to asbestos insulation throughout vessel engine rooms.
Top Industries for Asbestos Exposure in Florida
- Shipbuilding & Naval Facilities
- Construction
- Aerospace
- Military
- Power Generation
Florida Mesothelioma Laws & Filing Deadlines
Florida reduced its statute of limitations for asbestos claims from 4 years to 2 years. Personal injury claims must now be filed within 2 years of diagnosis, and wrongful death claims within 2 years of death. This change makes prompt action critical. Florida also has a Wrongful Death Act that allows surviving family members — including spouses, children, and parents — to recover both economic and non-economic damages in mesothelioma wrongful death cases.
* Filing deadlines are based on state law at time of publication. Always verify current deadlines with a licensed mesothelioma attorney in Florida.
Frequently Asked Questions — Mesothelioma in Florida
Florida now has a 2-year statute of limitations for asbestos-related claims, reduced from the prior 4-year period. This applies to both personal injury and wrongful death claims. Given this shorter deadline, Florida mesothelioma patients should consult an attorney as soon as possible after diagnosis.
Yes. Florida veterans with mesothelioma can pursue VA disability claims and civil lawsuits simultaneously. These are separate legal proceedings — VA benefits do not reduce lawsuit awards, and lawsuit settlements do not affect VA disability ratings.