Florida Archives - Asbestos Case Tracker

May 7, 2025 Florida / Significant Verdicts

$18 Million Verdict Awarded in Asbestosis Case Following Trial against Manufacturer

Jurisdiction: Broward County Circuit Court

A Florida jury on April 23 handed down an $18 million verdict in aperitoneal mesothelioma case brought by the law firm of Maune Raichle Hartley French & Mudd, LLC.

Plaintiff Denise Guth Cook spent time in her father’s shop as a childas herfather and brothers were career mechanics. Plaintiff alleged her father and brother used Ammco brake grinders that released asbestos-containing brake dust into the air, which also landed onto the ground and their clothes. Plaintifffurther allegedthat she inhaled …

May 23, 2024 Florida / Motion to Dismiss

Posted by: Asbestos Case Tracker

Chemical Company’s Renewed Motion to Dismiss Amended Complaint Granted

Jurisdiction: United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida

Plaintiff Douglas S. Johnson, one of the surviving children and personal representative of the estate of decedent French E. Johnson, filed an amended complaint against 50 defendants, including The Dow Chemical Company. The amended complaint alleged that decedent developed mesothelioma due to his exposure to asbestos while serving in the United States Navy, during his employment with NASA at the Kennedy Space Center, and in connection with non-occupational automotive maintenance and repairs.

In response …

April 23, 2024 Florida / Talc / Trial / Verdict

Posted by: Nicole Caspers

Florida Jury Returns Defense Verdict in Ovarian Cancer Trial

Court: United States District Court, Middle District of Florida

On Thursday April 18, a Florida jury found the talcum powder in Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder product did not cause the ovarian cancer of deceased Sarasota County resident Patricia Matthey.

The plaintiffs alleged in their complaint that J&J suppressed scientific evidence linking talc products to increased cancer risk and that the corporation knew for decades that the talc used in its baby powder could be contaminated with asbestos. At trial, J&J argued that there was …

Judge gavel with lawyer and attorney meeting in law firm background. Concepts of law, legal advice,legal services.

March 22, 2024 Florida / Summary Judgment

Posted by: Susan R. Allen-Robbins

District Court Denies Aviation Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment

Jurisdiction: United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida

Decedent John McCabe died from malignant epithelioid mesothelioma in January 2023, following a career as an aircraft mechanic. His estate initiated this action, alleging strict products liability and negligence against dozens of defendants, including Curtiss-Wright. Curtis-Wright moved for summary judgment, arguing that plaintiff failed to submit any evidence to support the claim the decedent was exposed to asbestos from working on or around its products.

Summary judgment is appropriate when “The movant shows that there is …

August 3, 2023 Florida / Summary Judgment

Posted by: Asbestos Case Tracker

Grant of Summary Judgment to Brake Manufacturer Reversed on Appeal

Court: Court of Appeal of Florida, First District

The decedent, Joan Smith, died from mesothelioma allegedly caused by secondary exposure to asbestos through laundering her husband’s work clothing. From 1969 through 1993, Mr. Smith was employed as a mechanic and performed brake work on Mack heavy trucks. Mack did not manufacture its own brakes but rather purchased them from third-party suppliers, including Carlisle Industrial Brake & Friction.

Carlisle acknowledged that it sold asbestos-containing brake linings to Mack from 1974 to 1979. Mack, however, was only …

April 6, 2022 Florida / Motion to Dismiss

Posted by: Kerry L. Jones

Court Grants Chemical Manufacturer’s Motion to Dismiss on Personal Jurisdiction Grounds

United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, April 5, 2022

In this asbestos action, plaintiff John R. Andres passed away in April 2020, allegedly as a result of his diagnosis with mesothelioma. His son subsequently filed suit in Florida against 51 defendants, alleging that his father came into contact with numerous asbestos-containing products over the course of his life. One of the defendants, Huntsman Corporation, filed a motion to dismiss, arguing that theywere not subject topersonal jurisdiction in Florida. While the plaintiff’s …

March 31, 2022 Damages / Florida

Posted by: Asbestos Case Tracker

Recovery of Damages Permitted as to Adult Children, Disallowed as to Spouse in Wrongful Death Action

Court of Appeal of Florida, Fourth District, March 30, 2022

In this matter, the decedent alleged exposure to asbestos during military service, throughout his career working at various industrial plants, and at his own home from the 1950s to the 1990s. On May 22, 2015, the decedent was diagnosed with mesothelioma. On July 4, 2015, he married the woman (the spouse) with whom he had lived for many years. On July 23, 2015, the decedent sued multiple defendants, asserting claims for negligence and strict liability. …

September 8, 2021 Florida / Remand/Removal

Posted by: Asbestos Case Tracker

Asbestos Action Remanded Based on Allegations Against Insulation Defendant

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, August 31, 2021

Plaintiffs David and Dorothy Bateman commenced this lawsuit in Broward County, Florida, alleging that Mr. Bateman developed mesothelioma as a result of his exposure to asbestos-containing products while serving in the British Royal Navy from 1967 to 1975. The defendants filed a notice of removal pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1332, 1441, and 1446. In response, the plaintiffs filed a motion to remand, alleging that the notice of removal was procedurally defective and …

April 29, 2021 Florida / Personal Jurisdiction

Posted by: admin

Two Navy Defendants Dismissed on Personal Jurisdiction Grounds Under U.S. Supreme Court Ford Decision

U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division, April 28, 2021

The plaintiff alleged that he was exposed to asbestos during his 22-year career as a Machinist’s Mate in the U.S. Navy from 1958 to 1980. He filed suit against numerous defendants, including Alfa Laval, Inc. and Viad Corp. in Florida. Only one of the ships on which the plaintiff served while in the Navy was stationed in Florida during the time that he was onboard—the U.S.S. Pawcatuck, which was docked …

February 27, 2020 Appeal / Florida

Posted by: Jillian E. Madison

Case Remanded to Trial Court on Issues of Admission of Alternative Causation Evidence and Jury Instruction

District Court of Appeal of Florida, Third District, February 26, 2020

FLORIDA – An appeal was brought on behalf of the defendant, Union Carbide, after a second jury trial was completed and a jury verdict entered in favor of the plaintiff. The plaintiff, Paula Font, filed a wrongful death lawsuit alleging her father, Luis Torres, contracted and died of mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos-containing products.

The defendant raised three issues on appeal. First, the defendant claimed the trial court erred in denying the …