Florida Mesothelioma Lawyer
Page Written By Rod De Llano, EsquireThis article has been fact checked by an experienced mesothelioma attorney. Sources of information are listed at the bottom of the article.
We make every attempt to keep our information accurate and up-to-date.
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Florida ranks second out of all fifty states for the number of asbestos-related deaths. Between 1999 and 2017, more than 3,300 people in Florida died from mesothelioma. While 1,588 died from asbestosis, more than 13,000 died from lung cancer likely associated with asbestos exposure.[1] A combination of industrial and shipping workplaces contributed to the high rate of asbestos exposure and related deaths in the state.
A Florida mesothelioma lawyer can be a powerful ally for anyone in the state who has been exposed to asbestos. If you get sick or you lose a loved one to any of the diseases triggered by asbestos, you have the right to file a lawsuit and to ask for both justice and compensation. With a lawyer experienced in the state’s asbestos laws, you have the best chance of winning both.
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Attorney Rebecca S. Vinocur – Leading Florida Mesothelioma Lawyer
The Florida law firm of Rebecca S. Vinocur, P.A. has been representing mesothelioma victims and others who have been affected by asbestos exposure for nearly twenty years.[2] The result of all that experience is a true commitment to the well-being of her clients and a deep understanding of what it takes to win in court against the big asbestos companies. What makes the firm stand out is the empathy that it displays, the high level of personal attention it provides, and the commitment to always keeping what’s best for their clients in front of mind.
The Firm’s Mission
The firm’s stated mission is to give each of their clients their undivided attention, working to understand their needs and goals and then to provide them with the knowledgeable and experienced legal representation that maximizes their compensation. As part of those efforts, they work hard to make sure that their clients are well educated on what mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases are and what their effects are; what each individual’s rights are in the face of asbestos exposure; and what their treatment options are as well. The firm has deep roots in the mesothelioma community, and through them, they are able to connect their clients with a wealth of resources ranging from state-of-the-art care to connections with support and advocacy groups.
Florida Office Location
Coral Gables Mesothelioma Law Office
5915 Ponce De Leon Boulevard
Suite 14
Coral Gables, Florida 33146
Phone: (786) 691-1282
Meet Attorney Rebecca S. Vinocur
Rebecca S. Vinocur has been practicing law in the state of Florida for nearly twenty years, and during that time she has dedicated herself to representing victims of asbestos exposure who have been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, asbestosis, asbestos-related lung cancer, and other serious and deadly diseases caused by exposure to the carcinogenic material.[3]
In the years since she began her practice, she has successfully represented thousands of clients, winning them generous jury awards and settlements that have provided them and their families with the economic security they need and deserve. Her firm’s mission is to provide each prospective client with personal attention, to provide them with valuable advice about their rights, and to use her knowledge and legal acumen to ensure that they get the maximum compensation for their suffering and injuries.[3]
Rebecca prides herself on personal interaction with her clients. Through her regular face-to-face meetings and phone conversations, Rebecca learns details about her clients and family members, including their achievements, hopes, dreams, and biggest concerns. Taking the time to obtain such intimate knowledge of her clients’ lives and stories allows Rebecca to more effectively advocate on their behalf.[3]
She graduated from the University of Michigan in 1996 and the University of Miami Law School in 2001, and since that time her law practice has been exclusively dedicated to the area of asbestos litigation.[3]
Bar Admissions: States of Florida and Mississippi
More Information on Asbestos and Mesothelioma in Florida
Florida has seen more asbestos and mesothelioma lawsuits than almost any other state.[4] Florida is a populous state with many industries that use or have used asbestos in the past. With such a long coastline, for instance, Florida has had many ports, shipyards, and military maritime installations. Asbestos has been used extensively in shipbuilding, so any workers involved in the industry in any capacity has been at risk of exposure.[5]
Florida also has a lot of industrial workplaces that have used asbestos in the past and that may continue to put workers at risk for exposure. These include power plants, chemical plants, manufacturing facilities, and others. Construction is also a big business in Florida that has long used asbestos for insulation and other materials. Any workers renovating, repairing, or demolishing older buildings in the state are at risk of being exposed to damaged asbestos that may contaminate the air.[6]
Processing Asbestos in Florida
Many states received asbestos-contaminated vermiculite from the infamous W.R. Grace mine in Libby, Montana, and Florida is no exception. The vermiculite was distributed from the Montana mine to multiple states and multiple processing plants, including the Zonolite and W.R. Grace and Company Exfoliation Facility located in Tampa. Workers in Tampa processed vermiculite contaminated with asbestos and many were harmed as a result.[7]
Known Sites of Asbestos Exposure in Florida
The list of sites in Florida that are known to have caused asbestos exposure and to have put workers and nearby residents at risk of illness is long. It includes military bases, power plants, shipyards, paper plants, and many others. These are just a few:
- Rayonier Paper Company, Fernandina Beach
- Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral
- Bellinger Shipyard, Jacksonville
- Mayport Naval Air Station, Mayport
- Florida Power and Light Company, Miami
- Florida Pulp and Paper Company, Pensacola
- International Paper Company, Panama City
- Pensacola Naval Air Station, Pensacola
- Tampa Shipyards, Tampa
- Lakeland Power Plant, Tampa
- Jacksonville Naval Air Station, Jacksonville
- Saint Regis Paper Company, Jacksonville
- Miami-Dade Drydock, Miami
- Eglin Air Force Base, Valparaiso
- Patrick Air Force Base, Brevard County
- Pensacola Naval Shipyard, Pensacola
- Tampa Bay Shipbuilding, Tampa
- Jacksonville shipyard, Jacksonville
Asbestos Regulations in Florida
As in other states, Florida has laws and regulations in place that are designed to limit the harm caused by asbestos. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection must be notified before work is done on a facility that contains asbestos. Any type of work that involves asbestos, such as abating, securing, or removing and disposing of it, must be done by someone licensed and trained in the safety protocol. Employees that may be exposed to asbestos must be given adequate protection and safety gear. Schools and government buildings have to be inspected regularly to determine if existing asbestos poses a risk.[8]
The Asbestos and Silica Compensation Fairness Act
Florida has some of the highest rates of deaths related to asbestos exposure and also some of the highest numbers of related lawsuits. In response to the high number of new cases related to asbestos, the state legislature passed the Asbestos and Silica Compensation Fairness Act (ASCFA) in 2005. The law makes it more difficult for plaintiffs to file a lawsuit by increasing the amount of evidence victims of asbestos exposure need to make a valid claim.[9]
The ASCFA requires stricter medical proof of mesothelioma. It also requires that people who suffer from asbestosis, pleural thickening, or other non-malignant medical issues related to asbestos, provide proof that the condition causes physical impairment. There is also more of a burden put on smokers to provide evidence that asbestos was a contributing factor to a diagnosis of cancer. The law also prohibits companies from being forced to pay punitive damages and restricts who can be deemed liable for harm caused by asbestos.[9]
Statute of Limitations
In spite of some of the restrictions placed on victims seeking compensation for asbestos-related illnesses, the state has a liberal statute of limitations of four years. This means a victim of exposure has four years from the time of diagnosis to file a lawsuit.[10] The statute applies to different diseases separately, like asbestosis and mesothelioma. For a wrongful death lawsuit related to asbestos, the statute of limitations is also four years from the time of death.[11]
Working with a Florida Mesothelioma Lawyer
The laws in Florida related to mesothelioma and other asbestos lawsuits can be complicated and confusing for people who are preoccupied with their illnesses and treatments. Even with a four-year statute of limitations, it can be easy to make mistakes and miss deadlines. If you are facing an asbestos illness or have lost a loved one to one of these diseases, make sure you find a good Florida mesothelioma lawyer to work with.
Florida mesothelioma attorney Rebecca S. Vinocur has a deep understanding of state asbestos laws, including the complex requirements of the ASCFA, and can help give you the best chance of winning a settlement or jury award in your case. Rebecca S. Vinocur has nearly twenty years of experience and success in the area of asbestos and mesothelioma litigation.
Page Written by Rod De Llano, Esquire
Rod De Llano was born and raised in Laredo, Texas. He graduated from Princeton University with a B.A. in Economics, and earned a law degree from the University of Texas. After working for an international law firm for several years, Rod formed a law firm dedicated to representing persons injured by exposure to asbestos products. For over 20 years, Rod has fought for persons diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. His clients have recovered over $1 billion over the years.