Mesothelioma Claims: Answers and Support for Florida Families

Mesothelioma Lawyer Serving Florida

A mesothelioma diagnosis often leads families to one hard question. Where did the asbestos exposure happen?

Mesothelioma is a cancer linked to asbestos. A claim usually depends on where, when, and how the person was exposed.

If you need a mesothelioma lawyer in Florida, this page explains your options in plain language.

What is a mesothelioma claim, and who is it for?

A mesothelioma claim is a legal case for a person harmed by mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer most often linked to asbestos exposure.

According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, the disease affects the membranes around the lungs, chest, or abdominal cavity. These membranes are the thin linings that cover those organs.

Whether the diagnosis is recent or the loss happened years ago, the questions are similar. What happened? Where? When?

CHG Personal Injury Lawyers is a Florida personal injury firm. It handles personal injury claims of many kinds, including serious injury and wrongful death claims. Igor Hernandez is the responsible lawyer. He is admitted to The Florida Bar.

A claim may be against an employer, a maker of asbestos products, a property owner, or another party. That party’s conduct may have led to the exposure. Which party may be responsible depends on the facts.

Why decades-old exposure still matters in Florida

Mesothelioma usually appears decades after asbestos exposure. A diagnosis today may trace back to work or home contact from long ago.

Latency means the time between exposure and when signs appear.

The time between exposure and symptoms can vary from one mesothelioma case to another.

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry states that asbestos exposure can cause serious disease.

Florida health guidance links asbestos fiber release to mesothelioma.

Florida also has a timing rule for asbestos claims. Under Fla. Stat. § 774.206(1), for any asbestos claim not barred as of the effective date of that act, the time limit does not start until the exposed person discovers, or should have discovered, that he or she is physically impaired by an asbestos-related condition.

Many people assume the exposure happened too long ago to matter. That assumption can be a costly mistake. Talk with the firm before you decide.

What the firm covers for families

The firm may review claims against companies or property owners whose conduct may have led to asbestos exposure, including claims involving mesothelioma and other asbestos diseases. Some of these matters may be referred to or handled together with other lawyers. The firm also helps families look at other routes.

One route is an asbestos bankruptcy trust. A trust is a fund. Many companies that went through bankruptcy set up trusts to pay asbestos claims.

Some asbestos bankruptcy trusts pay claims separately from a lawsuit, so it is worth discussing every possible avenue with an attorney. A trust claim may be possible separately from a lawsuit, depending on the facts.

When a loved one dies, Florida law allows a wrongful death claim for the survivors.

• Under Fla. Stat. § 768.20, the personal representative brings the case for the survivors and the estate. A personal representative is the person appointed to manage the deceased person’s estate.
• Under Fla. Stat. § 768.21, a surviving spouse may recover for loss of companionship and protection. A spouse may also recover for mental pain and suffering.

A claim also depends on records. These include medical files, work and military records, and statements from coworkers or relatives who remember the exposure.

The firm makes no promise of any result, amount, or share in a settlement or trust payment.

How the process works and what to expect

The first step is a free, confidential initial consultation. You are under no obligation to continue.

During the consultation, the family describes the diagnosis or loss. They also share the work, home, and service history. After that, the process generally follows these steps:

1. Exposure review. Our team organizes employment dates, job sites, product names if known, and any household exposure.
2. Records. Medical, employment, and military records are often gathered and reviewed as part of building a claim.
3. Route review. Possible claims are identified. These include lawsuits and bankruptcy trust claims.
4. Filing and updates. If a claim moves forward, the family is kept informed at each stage.

Families often help most by writing down what they remember. Note the employers, job sites, years, and any products or clothing used at work.

Old pay stubs, union cards, and photos can also help.

Timing depends on the facts, the claim route, and the records available. Florida deadlines can be short. Contacting the firm promptly matters.

Why CHG Personal Injury Lawyers, and how fees work

CHG is a Florida-based firm. It handles personal injury matters, including serious injury and wrongful death matters. Igor Hernandez is the responsible lawyer.

Support staff help with records, scheduling, and communication. Our team keeps families informed.

Families in West Palm Beach and throughout Florida can contact the firm to talk about their situation. You can ask a mesothelioma lawyer in Florida any question about the process.

The firm charges no attorney’s fees and no case costs unless there is a recovery.

A mesothelioma matter may be referred to, or handled together with, another law firm. The firm will explain that before any work begins.

CHG also publishes bilingual English and Spanish educational content for prospective clients. Every claim is different, and no result is promised here.

Common questions about mesothelioma claims in Florida

Talk with a Florida firm about your family’s exposure history

If you are trying to remember where a loved one worked, served, or lived decades ago, that history may matter. It may affect your family’s options.

Contact CHG Personal Injury Lawyers, a mesothelioma lawyer serving Florida families, including those in West Palm Beach. Request a free, confidential initial consultation through our contact page. Deadlines apply, so please reach out promptly.