Florida Mesothelioma Verdicts and Settlements
Documented Florida mesothelioma verdicts, from J&J talc to secondhand brake dust, with Fla. Stat. § 95.11 filing deadlines and appellate status notes.
Florida mesothelioma litigation draws from decades of exposure across shipyards, construction sites, auto-repair shops, and consumer talc products. Recent verdicts show juries weighing both direct and take-home exposure pathways, with courts in Broward and Miami-Dade handling a large share of the state’s asbestos docket.
Documented Florida Verdicts
| Amount | Case | Court and Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| $20M | Casaretto v. Johnson & Johnson (talc) | 17th Judicial Circuit, Broward; Oct 29, 2025 | Verdict entered; no appellate ruling reported |
| $18M total ($2.7M apportioned) | Cook v. Hennessy Industries (take-home brake dust) | 17th Judicial Circuit, Broward; Feb 14, 2025 | Verdict entered; Hennessy 15% liability |
Talc Mesothelioma Cases
The $20 million Casaretto verdict in Broward County concerned asbestos contamination in Johnson and Johnson talcum powder products. The case was brought by the family of Dr. Alberto A. Casaretto, Sr., and reported by Courtroom View Network. The verdict is significant Florida talc case reporting, though national talc litigation has produced other large awards. As of this article’s research date, no appellate ruling has been reported.
Secondhand Exposure Cases
The February 2025 Cook verdict in Broward totaled $18 million, with the jury apportioning 15% of fault (roughly $2.7 million) to brake grinder manufacturer Hennessy Industries. The remaining 85% was apportioned to 15 non-party entities. The case involved peritoneal mesothelioma allegedly tied to take-home exposure from relatives’ auto-repair work. Full case details are covered in our dedicated report on the Florida $18 million brake dust verdict. The Virginia Supreme Court’s 2026 ruling on secondary exposure duty of care further developed the legal framework for take-home claims across the Southeast.
Older Florida Verdicts
Law firm verdict summaries list additional Florida mesothelioma awards from 2015 to 2021, including a $21 million 2016 power plant verdict (Batchelor), a $14 million 2021 Miami-Dade verdict (Font), and a $17 million 2015 Miami-Dade painter verdict. MesoWatch has not independently verified the appellate status of these cases through primary court records, and readers should treat reported figures as historical data points rather than current standing awards until docket confirmation is available.
Filing Deadlines
Florida personal injury mesothelioma claims fall under Fla. Stat. § 95.11(3)(a), which sets a four-year statute of limitations running from the date of diagnosis or the date the injury reasonably should have been discovered. Florida House Bill 837, effective March 24, 2023, reduced the general negligence statute of limitations from four years to two years, but the products liability carve-out preserved the four-year window for asbestos cases.
Wrongful death claims are governed by Fla. Stat. § 95.11(4)(d), which requires filing within two years of the date of death. Florida’s four-year personal injury window is longer than Pennsylvania’s two-year deadline or Tennessee’s one-year window, but the complexity of tracing decades-old exposure means case investigation should begin as soon as possible after diagnosis.
Florida-Specific Factors
Florida mesothelioma cases can be filed in the county where the exposure occurred, where the plaintiff resides, or where the defendant does business. Broward and Miami-Dade circuits handle a meaningful share of recent reported verdicts.
Veterans exposed at Florida installations may have documentation through military service records, base maintenance logs, and Department of Defense records. Veterans with mesothelioma may qualify for VA disability benefits in addition to product liability claims and asbestos trust fund claims.
Reported verdicts represent outcomes in specific cases with specific facts. Individual case results depend on exposure history, medical documentation, and the defendants involved. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. People with mesothelioma may be eligible to pursue both litigation and trust fund claims; an attorney can assess individual circumstances.
References
Courtroom View Network. Florida Jury Awards $20M in Talc Trial Against J&J Over Doctor's Death.
https://blog.cvn.com/florida-jury-awards-20m-in-talc-trial-against-jj-over-doctors-death
Courtroom View Network. Jurors Find Asbestos in Brake Dust Caused Woman's Cancer; Maker of Brake Grinder Liable for $2.7M of $18M Verdict.
https://blog.cvn.com/jurors-find-asbestos-in-brake-dust-caused-womans-cancer-maker-of-brake-grinder-liable-for-2.7m-of-18m-verdict
Florida Senate. Florida HB 837 (2023), Civil Remedies.
https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/837
U.S. Courts. U.S. Courts Asbestos Bankruptcy Information.
https://www.uscourts.gov/services-forms/bankruptcy/bankruptcy-basics/asbestos
Reader Q&A
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the statute of limitations for mesothelioma claims in Florida?
Personal injury mesothelioma claims must be filed within four years of diagnosis under Fla. Stat. § 95.11(3)(a). Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of the date of death under Fla. Stat. § 95.11(4)(d). Florida HB 837’s 2023 reduction of the general negligence window to two years does not apply to products liability asbestos cases.
Can family members sue for secondhand exposure in Florida?
Yes. Florida courts have recognized take-home exposure claims, as shown in the February 2025 Broward County $18 million verdict involving brake dust carried home on work clothing. Family members who developed mesothelioma from contact with asbestos-contaminated clothing may be eligible to pursue lawsuits and trust fund claims.
Where are Florida mesothelioma cases typically filed?
Cases can be filed in the county of exposure, the plaintiff’s county of residence, or a county where the defendant does business. Broward (17th Judicial Circuit) and Miami-Dade handle a significant share of recent reported mesothelioma verdicts.
Can veterans file mesothelioma claims for Florida base exposure?
Yes. Veterans exposed at Florida military installations may pursue lawsuits against asbestos product manufacturers, submit trust fund claims, and apply for VA disability benefits. These compensation sources are independent of each other.
Do I need a Florida-based attorney?
Not necessarily. What matters is the attorney’s experience with asbestos litigation and knowledge of the products and exposure sites in Florida. Cases can be filed in the most favorable jurisdiction regardless of where the attorney is located.
Is asbestos illegal in Florida?
Asbestos is not fully banned or illegal in Florida. The state enforces federal EPA regulations under the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP, 40 CFR Part 61, Subpart M), adopted via Florida Administrative Code 62-257, which require inspections, notifications, and proper handling during demolition or renovation of structures with asbestos-containing materials. Florida adds restrictions like a 1983 statutory prohibition on asbestos in new public-funded construction (F.S. 255.40) and licensing for abatement contractors, with recent rule revisions effective March 2025 simplifying notifications. No complete statewide ban exists, aligning with federal limits rather than outright prohibition. Noncompliance can result in fines up to $10,000 per day from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.