Asbestos Trust Funds for Florida Workers
How Florida shipyard workers, military base personnel, and construction workers can file asbestos trust fund claims. Key trusts and process.
Florida workers, particularly those at Jacksonville’s shipyards, military bases, and Tampa’s ship repair facilities, have some of the strongest asbestos trust fund claims in the country. A shipyard worker’s daily contact with asbestos-containing products from multiple manufacturers means their claim can reach across many trusts simultaneously.
More than $30 billion remains in 60+ active trusts. These trusts accept new claims and pay qualifying claimants on a rolling basis. Florida reported 237 new mesothelioma cases in 2021, second only to California’s 284, according to CDC United States Cancer Statistics data. Trust fund claims represent a significant and accessible source of compensation for affected families.
Trusts Most Relevant to Florida Workers
| Trust | Payment % | Products/Industry | Florida Connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johns-Manville Trust | 5.1% | Pipe insulation, building products | Used in shipyards, military bases, and construction statewide |
| Owens Corning/Fibreboard Trust | 4.7% / 3.7% | Insulation, roofing | Present in industrial, commercial, and military buildings |
| Pittsburgh Corning Trust | 19% | Glass block, pipe insulation | Shipyard steam systems, power plant insulation |
| Garlock Sealing Technologies Trust | ~55% | Gaskets, packing, seals | Ship engine components, pump and valve maintenance |
| Babcock & Wilcox Trust | ~4.7% | Boilers, power generation | Power plants and shipboard boiler systems |
Shipyard Workers
Shipyard workers have the broadest trust fund eligibility because a single facility used asbestos products from many manufacturers. Pipe insulation came from one company, boiler lagging from another, gaskets from a third, fireproofing from a fourth. An experienced attorney can trace these connections using product databases, military records, and employment history. The same trust eligibility profiles apply to shipyard workers at the Philadelphia Navy Yard and the Savannah yards in Georgia, where identical products were used in vessel construction and repair.
Military Base Workers
Florida’s military base personnel, both military and civilian, were exposed to asbestos in base infrastructure, maintenance operations, and equipment. The Department of Defense conducted asbestos surveys at most installations, creating documentation that can support trust fund claims. Workers at Pensacola NAS and other Florida bases may qualify for multiple trust claims depending on the specific products used at their facility. Veterans’ mesothelioma risk varies significantly by branch, with Navy personnel facing the highest exposure levels.
Power Plant Workers
Boilermakers, pipefitters, and insulators who built and maintained Florida’s power generation infrastructure were exposed to asbestos from boiler manufacturers, insulation companies, and gasket makers. Each of these product categories may correspond to a separate trust fund claim.
Construction Workers
Florida’s construction boom put asbestos-containing products from dozens of manufacturers into buildings across the state. Drywall joint compound, floor tiles, roofing materials, insulation, and fireproofing each came from different manufacturers, many of which have established trusts. Construction workers who spent careers on Florida job sites may qualify for claims across multiple product categories.
Florida Filing Deadlines
Florida law sets firm deadlines for asbestos claims. Under Fla. Stat. § 95.11(3)(a), people with mesothelioma have four years from the date of diagnosis to file a personal injury claim. This is the products-liability period, which HB 837 (effective March 24, 2023) preserved even as it reduced the general negligence deadline to two years. Wrongful death claims filed by family members must be brought within two years of the date of death, under Fla. Stat. § 95.11(4)(d). Trust fund claims have separate deadlines set by each trust’s claims resolution procedures, but consulting an attorney promptly after diagnosis is the safest way to protect all options.
Filing Process
- Diagnosis documentation. Pathology reports confirming mesothelioma.
- Exposure evidence. Work history placing the claimant at sites where specific products were used.
- Claim submission. Forms filed with each applicable trust.
- Review and payment. Trusts review and pay claims, typically within three to 12 months.
Most trusts offer expedited review for people with mesothelioma. This can shorten processing to two to three months for qualifying claims.
Trust Claims and Other Compensation
Trust fund claims are independent of other compensation sources. Filing a trust claim does not reduce, offset, or affect:
- Lawsuit settlements or verdicts
- VA disability benefits for veterans exposed during military service at Florida bases
- Workers’ compensation claims through the state system
Most families pursue all applicable sources simultaneously.
References
U.S. Courts. U.S. Courts Asbestos Bankruptcy Information.
https://www.uscourts.gov/services-forms/bankruptcy/bankruptcy-basics/asbestos
RAND Corporation. RAND Institute Report on Asbestos Trust Fund Payments.
https://www.rand.org/topics/asbestos.html
Florida Senate. Florida Statutes § 95.11: Limitations Other Than for the Recovery of Real Property.
https://www.flsenate.gov/laws/statutes/2023/95.11
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC United States Cancer Statistics: Mesothelioma Data.
https://www.cdc.gov/united-states-cancer-statistics/publications/mesothelioma.html
Reader Q&A
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can Florida workers receive from trust funds?
Individual trust claim values vary by trust and disease category. Because most people with mesothelioma, especially shipyard and military base workers, file with multiple trusts, RAND Institute national benchmarks put typical combined recoveries that vary by claimant occupation, exposure history, and the specific trusts that apply.
Do shipyard workers have stronger trust claims?
Generally yes. Shipyards used asbestos products from many different manufacturers, which means a single worker can file claims with 10 to 20 trusts. Workers in industries with fewer asbestos product sources may qualify for fewer trusts.
Is there a deadline to file trust fund claims?
Each trust has its own filing deadlines, which vary. Filing promptly after diagnosis is recommended to preserve all options.
Can family members file trust fund claims?
Yes. If the person with mesothelioma has died, family members or estate representatives can file claims on their behalf. Most trusts accept wrongful death claims.
Do trust fund payments affect my lawsuit?
Trust fund claims and lawsuits proceed independently. Filing trust claims does not reduce any lawsuit settlement or verdict. Most families pursue both at the same time.
How common is asbestos in Florida?
Asbestos was extensively used throughout Florida during the 20th century. Nearly all houses constructed before the 1980s contain asbestos in their structure. The state imported raw asbestos for processing at five plants that operated until the 1980s, and the mineral was widely incorporated into building materials including floor tiles, ceiling tiles, insulation, drywall joint compound, and vinyl flooring. Beyond residential settings, asbestos was prevalent in Florida’s shipyards, power plants, oil refineries, chemical plants, and construction sites. Florida ranks second in the United States for mesothelioma cases (5,125 cases from 1999 to 2020) and asbestos-related deaths, reflecting the scale of historical exposure. Deteriorating asbestos-containing materials in older buildings continue to pose risks today, particularly when renovation or demolition activities disturb these materials.