Firm Partner Juan Bauta, an asbestos attorney based in our Florida office, has over 30 years of experience helping families seek justice.
Juan focuses on filing mesothelioma lawsuits against companies that made or sold asbestos products without warning of the risks. He strives to make the legal process accessible to all, regardless of their background or circumstances.
“I worked with Juan Bauta over the course of a year in resolving a personal legal matter. During this time, I grew to respect and appreciate his intelligence and legal knowledge. Mr. Bauta is also very affable and available to answer any questions. He has earned my highest positive recommendation.”
– James, Client of Attorney Juan Bauta
We sat down with Juan to learn more about his work, the unique challenges his clients face, and what drives his commitment to justice.
Is asbestos exposure still a concern in Florida?
Unfortunately, the answer is yes. Even though asbestos isn’t as widely used today, it’s still present in many older buildings, homes, schools, and job sites across Florida and the rest of the United States.
Who is at risk of asbestos exposure in Florida?
Construction workers, shipyard workers, mechanics, factory workers — really anyone who worked with or around materials that contained asbestos may be at risk of exposure.
Family members of these workers can also be affected, since asbestos fibers may be carried home on clothing, shoes, or equipment, leading to secondhand exposure.
Many of the clients I help were actually first exposed to asbestos decades ago, but they’re just now getting sick. That’s how mesothelioma works. It has a long latency period, so it can take 10, 20, or even 50 years before symptoms start to show up.
How can Florida asbestos attorneys help families affected by mesothelioma?
After someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma, many families find themselves facing an extremely difficult time, both emotionally and financially. When they first reach out to an asbestos attorney, they’re often scared, overwhelmed, and full of questions.
My role is to help alleviate some of those anxieties and guide families through the legal process. We start by reviewing your employment history, so I can figure out where you may have come into contact with asbestos.
A lot of the clients I work with were exposed at multiple job sites over the years, so we need to take a look at what products were used there at that time and the companies that made or sold them. Ultimately, that’s who we’ll be pursuing compensation from — the asbestos companies that made products with this deadly material.
I do my best to make the legal process simple and explain everything in plain language, so families can understand all of their options.
Why might immigrants and migrant workers be at risk of mesothelioma?
Many of the workers I’ve helped arrived in the United States and took whatever jobs they could find in order to support their families. We’re talking about hardworking roofers, mechanics, and others who were just trying to make ends meet.
Unfortunately, asbestos was commonly used in many of the industries my clients ended up working in. There weren’t always warnings about the dangers of asbestos, and for those who didn’t speak English fluently, it was often even harder to access safety information.
These men and women showed up, did their jobs, and decades later, they’re paying the price. That’s why I fight so hard for them, because they were never given the information or protection they deserved.
Are you able to help Spanish-speaking families impacted by mesothelioma?
Yes. When someone is dealing with mesothelioma, the last thing they need is a language barrier standing in the way of understanding their rights.
I’m fluent in Spanish, and our firm has Spanish-speaking staff members who help ensure clients feel heard and supported. Every family deserves that level of care, no matter what language they speak.
I also understand that some people, especially those from immigrant communities, may feel nervous about reaching out to a law firm. Please know that we’re here to hold corporations accountable, not individuals.
Your background doesn’t affect your right to seek justice, and we take privacy and confidentiality very seriously.
What makes mesothelioma claims different from other personal injury cases?
Mesothelioma claims are incredibly complex. This disease takes decades to appear, so many people don’t remember where they were exposed to asbestos, let alone the brand of the products they worked with or the companies that sold it.
The stakes are also high in these cases. Treatments that may prolong a patient’s life or make them more comfortable are expensive, more than many families can afford. As a result, we really strive to secure results as quickly as possible for the families we represent.
How do you prove asbestos exposure, especially when it happened decades ago?
Our mesothelioma law firm has been handling asbestos exposure cases for over 25 years. During that time, the team has assembled a massive database of products, job sites, and manufacturers connected to asbestos exposure.
That means we often already have evidence showing which products contained asbestos, where they were used, and whether the manufacturer attempted to conceal the risks.
One of the advantages of working with a firm that focuses on mesothelioma cases is that we’ve helped thousands of families, so there’s a good chance we’ve worked with someone in a situation similar to yours.
Maybe they served on the same U.S. Navy ship as you, or had the same asbestos-containing insulation in their homes, or were at the same job site. You’d be surprised how often our cases overlap like that.
What kind of compensation can asbestos exposure victims expect?
Mesothelioma compensation varies from case to case, as everyone’s situation is unique. Payouts will vary in each case, but claims often award hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars in more severe cases. Some of my past clients have been awarded around $3 million, while others were awarded $14 million.
It really depends on factors like the severity of their illness, how many different asbestos products they were exposed to, and the level of corporate negligence involved.
How long does the legal process usually take?
In some of the more straightforward situations, families may start receiving compensation within a few months. However, it can take a year or two for cases to be completely resolved.
Most mesothelioma lawsuits involve multiple companies, and we go after each one that may have played a role in your illness. So, additional checks may continue coming in as we negotiate settlements with all the defendants.
Have you taken any mesothelioma cases to trial?
Yes. When a fair settlement can’t be reached, I don’t back down. I’ve taken over 25 mesothelioma cases to trial and fought to hold asbestos companies accountable in court.
I’ve represented veterans, utility workers, contractors, and even family members who lost a loved one to mesothelioma, securing verdicts as high as $20 million in some cases.
I work with top medical and industry experts to make sure the jury understands exactly what happened to these people and who is responsible.
How much do Florida asbestos lawyers charge?
We work on a contingency fee basis. Our firm covers the costs of investigating and filing your claim, even if it takes months or years. If we’re successful, our fee comes from a portion of the money we recover for you. Otherwise, you don’t have to pay anything.
What would you say to families who are hesitant to contact an asbestos lawyer in Florida?
I’ve heard a lot of the same concerns over the years — that it’s probably too late, too expensive, or too complicated.
But the thing is, it’s never too late to ask questions. Calling a lawyer doesn’t mean you’re filing a lawsuit, it just means you’re taking the first step toward understanding your legal rights.
My team and I can walk you through everything, explain your options, and answer every question you have for free. There’s no pressure or obligation. When families first reach out, our goal is to provide them with clarity and reassurance during a really difficult time.
Get Help from Our Mesothelioma Lawsuit Attorneys
At Simmons Hanly Conroy, our mesothelioma lawsuit attorneys can help families in Florida and across the United States fight for the justice they deserve.
To date, our firm has secured over $10.3 billion for thousands of mesothelioma clients.
Call (800) 326-8900 now or fill out our contact form to get a free legal consultation. We’re available 24/7 to answer any questions you may have.
