Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure in Florida

Florida’s combination of major military installations, Tampa Bay shipyards, power plants, and a long construction history exposed generations of Floridians to asbestos. The state also has one of the largest retired-veteran populations in the country — which matters, because a significant percentage of today’s mesothelioma diagnoses in Florida trace back to Navy service. Florida residents continue to be diagnosed with mesothelioma decades after exposure that happened during their working years in other states or in military service.

Where asbestos exposure happened in Florida

• Tampa Bay shipyards. Hooker’s Point, Tampa Shipbuilding, and other Tampa Bay yards built Liberty ships and Navy vessels during and after World War II. Workers handled asbestos insulation throughout.
• Military installations. Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Naval Station Mayport, Pensacola Naval Air Station, MacDill AFB, Homestead AFB, Patrick Space Force Base, and Eglin AFB — personnel stationed at any of these may have encountered asbestos in barracks, aircraft, vehicles, or ships.
• Power plants. Florida Power & Light, Tampa Electric, and other utility companies operated plants that used asbestos insulation and gaskets through the late 1970s.
• Construction. Florida’s explosive postwar growth drove construction of millions of homes, hotels, and commercial buildings using asbestos-containing products.
• Paper mills and chemical plants. Plants in Pensacola, Panama City, Jacksonville, and Palatka used asbestos insulation and products for decades.

Florida legal context

Florida’s personal-injury statute of limitations for asbestos-related disease is generally four years from diagnosis. Florida has an active asbestos litigation bar and well-established mesothelioma case law. Rules are fact-specific; this is not legal advice. Consult a licensed Florida attorney.

Mesothelioma treatment in Florida

Florida is home to several cancer centers with mesothelioma experience, including Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa (NCI-designated comprehensive), Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center (University of Miami), and UF Health Shands Cancer Hospital in Gainesville.

Florida-specific resources

• Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation
• The Florida Bar — Consumer Resources
• VA Benefits: Florida has more than 20 VA medical centers serving its large veteran population

Get answers about your next steps

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may have questions about treatment, support, or legal options. MesoCare.org compiles information from federal health agencies and established cancer centers so families have a starting point — we are not a medical provider or a law firm. Start with these resources:

• Understanding mesothelioma — symptoms, types, diagnosis
• Treatment options — surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, clinical trials
• Support resources — financial assistance, caregiver help, mental health
• Legal information — trust funds, lawsuits, VA disability, workers’ comp

MesoCare.org is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, LLP and is informational only. Nothing on this page is medical or legal advice. Speak with your clinical team about treatment and a licensed attorney about legal questions.