Many people who developed asbestos illnesses at work are now fighting for justice with the assistance of a qualified Jacksonville mesothelioma lawyer. Jacksonville is a high-risk area for asbestos exposure because of its long history of shipping and manufacturing.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may be entitled to substantial compensation. Fill out our form to get a free Financial Compensation Packet. You’ll learn about the experienced mesothelioma lawyers in Jacksonville, how to get paid in 90 days, how to file a claim for the asbestos trust funds, and more.
FREE Financial Compensation Packet
- Info on law firms that will recover your HIGHEST COMPENSATION
- Learn how to get paid in 90 days
- File for your share of $30 billion in trust funds
Jacksonville Asbestos Facts
- Deaths related to asbestos in and around Jacksonville and Duval County numbered 690 between 1999 and 2017.
- Jacksonville’s important location on the Atlantic led to a thriving shipping industry with heavy asbestos use.
- Other industries, as well as military sites, have contributed to asbestos exposure in the Jacksonville area, including energy and construction.
Why Should I Sue for Mesothelioma?
Most people sue for mesothelioma to recover damages. Mesothelioma is caused by negligent workplace asbestos exposure. You can hold companies accountable for your exposure and seek compensation for the medical and other expenses resulting from your illness.
How to File a Mesothelioma Claim in Jacksonville
If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos illness, you can file a mesothelioma personal injury lawsuit. Loved ones of those who pass away from mesothelioma can file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Many asbestos companies filed for bankruptcy and cannot be sued. You can still get compensation from these companies by making a claim with the appropriate asbestos trust fund. There is about $30 billion available in asbestos trusts.
How a Jacksonville Mesothelioma Lawyer Can Help
Asbestos lawsuits and claims are complicated. One of the most important reasons you need a good lawyer is to prove that specific companies exposed you to asbestos and that this caused your illness.
Proving asbestos exposure and its link to mesothelioma means reviewing your work history and knowing which companies used asbestos and when. Only experienced asbestos attorneys and firms have the resources to track down the evidence.
When your lawyer has this information, they can then help you file a lawsuit or an asbestos trust fund claim. If you encountered asbestos during military service, they can help you navigate the process of filing for VA benefits.
Look for a top Florida mesothelioma lawyer who works with asbestos clients in Jacksonville. They should have relevant experience, proven wins for similar clients, and be part of a nationwide firm.
Where Was I Exposed to Asbestos in Jacksonville?
Workplace exposure is the most common cause of mesothelioma and other asbestos illnesses. Several industries that operated in Jacksonville used asbestos.
Shipping and Asbestos in Jacksonville
The Port of Jacksonville is the largest deepwater harbor in the south and the second largest on the eastern coast of the U.S. In 2012, the Jacksonville Port Authority’s (JAXPORT) three terminals handled over 8.2 million tons of cargo.
There are also many local shipbuilding and repair yards. Some, like the BAE Systems Shipyards Southeast facility, are currently in operation. Others, such as the Jacksonville Shipyards, have been closed and abandoned.
Ships built before the Environmental Protection Agency’s ban used asbestos in nearly all components. This means that workers constructing, repairing, updating, and crewing ships in the Jacksonville area risked asbestos exposure. Some are still at risk when working on or with older vessels.
The Jacksonville Shipyards
The site known as the Jacksonville Shipyards was one of the area’s largest shipbuilding and repair facilities before it closed in 1992. It built or refitted thousands of vessels from the 1850s until its closure.
During this period, Jacksonville Shipyards used or handled large quantities of asbestos materials, including insulation for pipes, hulls, engineering spaces, steam lines, and electrical wiring.
The years immediately preceding and following World War II marked the peak period for asbestos use at the site. Operating under the company name Merrill-Stevens Drydock & Repair Co, the facility repaired or refitted hundreds of ships during the war.
The company changed owners and names several times after Merrill-Stevens relocated its headquarters to Miami in the 1950s but continued repair work and modernization work on ships until going out of business in 1992.
Many Merrill-Stevens/Jacksonville Shipyards, Inc (JSI) employees were exposed to asbestos when they performed these repairs and refits, especially those on ships built between the 1930s and the 1970s. Decades later, several of these workers were diagnosed with asbestos illnesses.
Naval Station Mayport
Jacksonville’s strategic location on Florida’s northeast coast makes it ideal for placing military facilities in the area. The U.S. Navy operates two bases in Jacksonville:
- Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville
- Naval Station (NS) Mayport
Commissioned in 1942, NS Mayport is a deep water harbor, with repair facilities and Admiral David L. McDonald airfield. The harbor can accommodate 34 ships at a time, including large conventional aircraft carriers.
As with civilian ships and ports, military sites used many asbestos materials in ship components. Service members were put at risk of exposure, just as civilian workers at Jacksonville Shipyards were.
Other Sources of Asbestos in Jacksonville
Asbestos use was heavy in the maritime industry at one time. But it was not the only industry that used this material. The widespread use of asbestos in construction, transportation, power generation, and even textiles has put thousands of people at risk.
According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, asbestos can even be found in many materials in residential buildings:
- Corrugated asbestos roofing
- Electrical meter boards
- Backyard sheds
- Dog kennels
- Subfloor packers
- Wood heaters
- Hot water piping
- Eaves
- Insulation in heaters and stoves
Many workplaces and public buildings throughout Jacksonville used asbestos. Some examples include:
- Anheuser-Busch Brewery
- Florida Power & Light (FPL) plant
- Ameristeel (formerly Florida Steel) mill
- Union Camp Chemical Plant
- Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA)
Specialized Mesothelioma Treatment in Jacksonville
If you have developed mesothelioma or another asbestos illness, you need treatment from specialists. While Jacksonville is not home to any National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers, there are cancer treatment facilities in the area:
- Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center
- University of Florida Health Cancer Center
- Mayo Clinic Cancer Center
Getting Legal Assistance in Jacksonville
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, remember that you may be entitled to substantial compensation. Get our free Financial Compensation Packet for information on the top mesothelioma and asbestos lawyers in your area. For questions and assistance, feel free to contact us at 800-793-4540.
