Statute of Limitations in Florida
| Claim Type | Deadline | Clock Starts |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Injury | 4 years | Date of diagnosis |
| Wrongful Death | 2 years | Date of death |
Important: Missing the statute of limitations permanently eliminates the right to file a lawsuit. Trust fund claims generally have different (often more lenient) deadlines. Contact an experienced mesothelioma attorney immediately after diagnosis to preserve all your legal options.
Industrial Exposure History
Florida has asbestos exposure from shipbuilding (Jacksonville, Tampa), aerospace (Cape Canaveral/Kennedy Space Center), port operations, power generation, and construction. Homestead Air Force Base and other military installations contributed to veteran exposure cases.
Key Courts for Mesothelioma Cases
- Miami-Dade Circuit Court
- Hillsborough County Circuit Court (Tampa)
- Broward County Circuit Court
Filing Considerations
Florida has a 4-year statute of limitations for personal injury, among the longest in the country. Wrongful death claims have a 2-year limit from date of death.
How to File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit in Florida
- Confirm your diagnosis: Obtain confirmed mesothelioma diagnosis with pathology report from a qualified physician. If diagnosed at a general oncology practice, consider a second opinion at a specialized mesothelioma center.
- Document your exposure history: Gather work records, union documents, military service records, and any evidence of asbestos exposure. Make notes of products, employers, and job sites where exposure may have occurred.
- Check the Florida statute of limitations: In Florida, you have 4 years from diagnosis for personal injury claims. Wrongful death claims have 2 years from date of death. Missing these deadlines permanently ends your right to file.
- Consult an experienced mesothelioma attorney: Free consultations are standard. Mesothelioma attorneys work on contingency — no fees unless you recover compensation. An experienced attorney identifies all eligible claims including trust funds and lawsuits.
- File claims and pursue compensation: Your attorney files the lawsuit in the appropriate Florida court and simultaneously pursues asbestos trust fund claims. VA benefits can be pursued in parallel for veterans.