History of Asbestos in Florida
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was used heavily in the 20th century for its resistance to heat and flame, quality as an insulator, and its general durability and low cost. Asbestos does not naturally occur in Florida, but the substance was brought into the state, in part, in asbestos-contaminated shipments of vermiculite from the infamous W.R. Grace vermiculite mine in Libby, Montana.
Records indicate that in the 45 years between 1948 and 1993, 97,644 tons of the contaminated vermiculite was shipped to the Verlite Company and Schmelzer Sales location in Tampa. The company then used the vermiculite to produce insulation products used throughout the state and country.
Florida is also the home of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA. During the 20th century, the aeronautics industry used asbestos in numerous applications, especially for insulation and heat protection/fireproofing.
Its location along the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean also made the state a natural site for the shipbuilding industry. Florida is host to numerous power plants--another industry known for use of asbestos, and had other common industries operating during the height of asbestos use including construction, chemical manufacturing and others.
Companies with Possible Asbestos Exposure
These Florida companies are believed to have asbestos present in the workplace:
- American Container Paper Mill, Fernandina Beach
- American Cyamid, Pace
- Arizona Chemical, Panama City, Port St. Joe
- Armour Chemical Plant, Bartow
- Ashland Chemical, Pensacola
- Bellinger Shipyard, Jacksonville
- Calpine Auburn Power Plant, Polk
- CF Industries, Hillsborough
- Chemstrand Company, Gonzales
- CPV Cana Ltd., St. Lucie
- Duke Energy, St. Lucie
- Eglin Air Force Base, Eglin
- Exxon Oil Refinery, Jay
- Florida Crushed Stone Co., Brooksville
- Florida Power & Light, Cape Canaveral
- Florida Power Corp.: Bayboro, Crystal River, Higgins, Live Oak, Polk
- FPL Power Plant: Cutler, Deltona, Florida City, Fort Myers, Fort Lauderdale, Fort
- Georgia Pacific Paper Mill, Palatka
- Georgia Pacific, Cross City
- Gibbs Shipyard, Jacksonville
Keene Corp., Jacksonville
- Gulf Power Co., Escambia
- Gulf Power Plant, Pensacola
- Gulf Power,Santa Rosa
- Hess Oil, Jay
- Homestead Air Force Base, Homestead
- IMC Phosphates, Polk
- International Paper, Panama City
- Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral
- Monsanto Textiles. Pensacola
- Mosaic Co, (Cargill Fertilizer), Polk
- National Cork Co., Pensacola
- Newport Chemical Plant. Pensacola
- Patrick Air Force Base, Cocoa Beach
- Pensacola Naval Air Station, Pensacola
- Pensacola Naval Shipyard, Pensacola
- Pierce, Martin, Port Everglades, Putnam, Sanford
- Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, West Palm Beach
- Rayonier Paper Mill, Fernandina Beach
- Reliant Energy: Indian River, Osceola
- Smurfit Stone Container Co., Panama City
- St Regis Paper Co.: Cantonment, Jacksonville, Port St. Joe
- Tampa Electric: Apollo Beach, Hillsborough
- Tenneco, Pensacola
- Tyndall Airforce Base, Panama City
- U.S. Gypsum, Jacksonville
- U.S. Naval Station, Mayport
- W.R. Grace Phosphate Plant, Bartow
- Wainwright Shipyard, Palatka
- White Springs Agricultural Chemical, Hamilton
Asbestos-Related Deaths in Florida
Florida ranks second in the nation for the number of mesothelioma deaths. The Environmental Working Group reports that from 1979 – 2001, 3071 asbestos related deaths occurred with 1,976 of them attributed to mesothelioma.
Where to Get Help in Florida
Tragically, mesothelioma is currently considered incurable. Nevertheless, numerous physicians and treatment centers across the country are offering treatments to ease the pain and discomfort of the disease, and reduce the amount of cancer in the body. Clinical trials of experimental therapies are being conducted.
As mesothelioma lawyers helping asbestos victims in Florida, Simon, Eddins & Greenstone, LLP has become familiar with these resources in the state:
Mesothelioma Treatment Centers in Florida
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute
University of South Florida
12902 Magnolia Drive
Tampa, Florida 33612-9497
813- 615-4261
www.moffitt.org
The University of Florida Shands Cancer Center, University of Florida
1600 SW Archer Road
Gainesville, FL 32610
352-265-0111 or 800-749-7424.
The University of Florida Shands Cancer Center, Jacksonville
655 West 8th Street
Jacksonville, FL 32209
904-244-0411
Leading Mesothelioma Doctors in Florida
Dr. Lary A. Robinson
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute
University of South Florida
12902 Magnolia Dr.
Tampa, FL 33612
813-745-8412
Mesothelioma cases that win verdicts typically are awarded four times the amount of mesothelioma settlements.* That's why you'll want to make sure that the Florida mesothelioma lawyer you choose is equipped to take your case through trial if settlement is not your best option.
If you are seeking a Florida mesothelioma attorney, consider the trial experience and familiarity with the state's asbestos litigation of Simon, Eddins & Greenstone, LLP. We've helped other Florida mesothelioma victims seek compensation for their injuries from asbestos companies that knew their products were dangerous but didn't protect workers.
Learn more about your legal options or request a free mesothelioma information guide with one free, no obligation call to our office. 866-632-7574. We look forward to speaking with you.
*Actual outcome depends on the details of your case.