Those who have been diagnosed with silicosis after spending at least one year cutting, fabricating, installing or polishing engineered stone/quartz may qualify to file a lawsuit and pursue financial compensation with the help of our experienced silicosis lawyers. We are also filing wrongful death lawsuits on behalf of the families of loved ones who died due to silicosis.
Silicosis lawsuits allege that employers in the stone fabrication industry failed to provide safe workplaces, leading to workers developing silicosis. The lawsuits also allege that stone countertop manufacturers, including the manufacturers of engineered stone countertops, manufactured defectively designed products without providing adequate warnings, leading to workers developing silicosis.
Key Takeaways:
- Stone fabrication industry workers who develop silicosis may qualify for financial compensation by filing a lawsuit against employers and/or stone countertop manufacturers.
- Financial compensation may be available for medical bills, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain, suffering, wrongful death and more.
- There have been 562 confirmed silicosis cases, including 31 deaths, in California since 2019, according to the California Department of Public Health.
- Workers who fabricate, install or cut engineered stone products face the highest risk of developing accelerated silicosis.
- You generally have two years from the date you discovered your occupational exposure to silica dust caused your silicosis to file a lawsuit.
- California workers do not need to be United States citizens to file silicosis claims.
Why Silica Exposure Victims Trust Our Attorneys
- Some silicosis law firms accept all the cases they can without caring if they have enough staff to handle them all. Our responsive legal team, however, is fully-staffed so we can provide silicosis clients with 24/7 availability, reliable communication and frequent case updates.
- We have been trusted since 1990 to recover financial compensation for victims of exposure to hazardous substances such as silica dust, asbestos, paraquat and Roundup.
- Our legal team provides free consultations and we will charge you no legal fee until we win, as our only fee is a percentage of the compensation we recover for you.
- Our high-stakes litigation team has the experience handling large hazardous exposure cases and the comprehensive resources to take on large employers and stone countertop manufacturers and win.
- While many silicosis law firms are willing to settle cheaply for a quick buck, our trial-ready representation is ready and willing to fight for you in court if a fair settlement can’t be reached.
- We and our legal teams have recovered over $750 million for silicosis victims and other injury victims.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. All cases are unique and results depend on cases’ specific facts.
Call us today for a FREE consultation at (800) 718-4658 or contact us if you or a loved one was diagnosed with silicosis after spending at least one year cutting, fabricating, installing or polishing engineered stone/quartz. We can help you recover financial compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, wrongful death and more and we will charge no legal fee until we win your case.
Table of Contents
- Latest Update
- Who Qualifies to File Silicosis Lawsuits?
- What Is Silicosis?
- Silicosis Lawsuit Evidence
- Who Is Liable in Silicosis Claims?
- Legal Claims in Silicosis Lawsuits
- What Occupations Are at High Risk for Crystalline Silica Exposure?
- How to File a Silicosis Lawsuit
- How Much Compensation Can I Get for Silicosis?
- How a Lawyer Can Recover Compensation
- Notable Silicosis Settlement Examples
- Why Choose Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers?
- Contact Our Silicosis Attorneys Today
- Silicosis Lawsuit Frequently Asked Questions
- Silicosis Lawsuit Updates
Latest Update
September 2, 2026 Update
A lawsuit filed on August 10 in California by a California countertop worker alleges that years of polishing, fabricating and cutting engineered stone led to exposure to respirable silica dust and a diagnosis of silicosis and other lung damage such as pulmonary fibrosis.
The complaint names Colorquartz USA Inc., Bella Stones Inc., Caesarstone USA Inc. and other distributors and manufacturers of engineered stone as the defendants.
The lawsuit alleges that the companies misrepresented the safety of their products, intentionally hiding known respiratory hazards regarding engineered stone.
The lawsuit alleges the man polished and installed natural stone countertops at commercial and residential jobsites in the Phoenix area from 2008 through 2011, and did similar work in Las Vegas in the following years. He polished, fabricated and cut engineered and natural stone countertops from 2019 to the present for commercial and residential installations around Los Angeles.
The lawsuit claims that the transformation of those materials into countertop form exposed him to silica as well as aluminum trihydrate on an almost daily basis, with particles entering the man’s body via inhalation. Those exposures are alleged to have contributed to or caused his silicosis and other lung damage like pulmonary fibrosis.
The man claims he first discovered he might have silicosis in June 2026 following a medical examination, maintaining that, prior to that date, he didn’t know and couldn’t have reasonably discovered that his exposure to stone had caused the injuries he has suffered.
The lawsuit claims that the companies knew or should have known their products would release airborne silica and additional toxins when they were polished, fabricated, cut and installed. The lawsuit alleges the products were sold without proper warnings about the risk of lung damage such as silicosis and pulmonary fibrosis.
The lawsuit argues that the dangers of stone dust have been known about for decades, pointing to federal concerns regarding occupational silicosis which date back to the early 1900’s.
Who Qualifies to File Silicosis Lawsuits?
You or your loved one may qualify to file a silicosis lawsuit if you spent at least one year cutting, fabricating, installing or polishing engineered stone/quartz then developed:
- Any type of silicosis.
- Severe obstructive/restrictive lung disease.
- Progressive massive fibrosis (PMF).
- Lung transplant referral or evaluation.
- X-ray/HRCT evidence of ground-glass opacities, fibrosis or nodules.
Exposure settings include:
- Crews for on-site installation.
- Countertop fabrication shops.
- Remodelers who performed dry quartz cutting.
- Manufacturing plants for engineered stone.
United States citizenship is not required. There are many Spanish-speaking claimants. Undocumented workers can file claims.
In California, workers can file a silicosis claim if they can prove that their silica dust exposure occurred because of negligence by their employer or by a third party, such as failing to provide adequate respiratory protection.
What if My Employer Claims to Have Followed Safety Regulations?
Employers commonly claim they comply with safety regulations. This doesn’t always mean your exposure to silica dust was controlled properly.
A silicosis lawyer can investigate if exposure monitoring was done, if respirators were fit-tested and appropriate, and if dust controls were used every day.
Can I File a Lawsuit if I Worked for Multiple Job Sites or Companies?
Yes.
It is common for those who file silicosis lawsuits to have worked for multiple job sites or companies.
A silicosis attorney can identify every possibly responsible party. They can determine if multiple companies contributed to your silica dust exposure.
What Is Silicosis?
Silicosis is a serious, progressive, irreversible lung disease which is caused by inhaling airborne silica dust particles known as respirable crystalline silica dust. It leads to permanent scarring and inflammation in the lungs. This may lead to difficulty breathing as well as other long-term health problems.
Engineered stone countertops can contain up to 93 percent crystalline silica, according to the CDC. This is far more than natural granite, which usually contains under 45 percent. This makes working with these countertops especially dangerous.
Silicosis has no cure. Treatment is limited to symptom management, supplemental oxygen and, in severe cases, lung transplants.
There is a long history of silicosis, which was described by Hippocrates.
Types of Silicosis
Silicosis is classified into three types, according to the CDC: acute, accelerated and chronic, depending upon the duration and severity of silica dust exposure:
- Chronic silicosis typically happens following at least 10 years of low or moderate silica dust exposure.
- Accelerated silicosis happens within five to 10 years of high exposure.
- Acute silicosis can happen after weeks, months or a few years of very high levels of silica dust exposure. It often leads to fluid buildup and severe lung inflammation.
Symptoms of Silicosis
Symptoms of silicosis may include persistent dry cough, shortness of breath, chest pain and fatigue, which can develop slowly as well as worsen over time. Silicosis often leads to severe respiratory issues when exposure continues.
The primary symptoms of silicosis are:
- Persistent cough, particularly coughing up phlegm
- Scarring in the lung tissue (pulmonary fibrosis)
- Inflammation in the lung tissue
These symptoms may also cause:
- Muscle weakness
- Fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
- Difficulty breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Back or chest pain
Silicosis can progress, leading to severe lung damage, respiratory failure or damaged lung tissue. It can also increase the risk of tuberculosis or lung cancer. You should seek treatment at a healthcare provider as soon as possible if you have or believe you have silicosis.
Early Symptoms That Are Often Missed
Those who develop the incurable lung disease silicosis after inhaling silica particles can experience early warning signs which can be subtle as well as easy to blame on smoking, allergies, age or a lack of fitness.
You may notice you get winded more quickly or develop a lingering cough.
You may experience intermittent chest congestion, particularly after physically intense work.
Silicosis Complications
The debilitating lung disease silicosis may increase the risk of developing other diseases, like tuberculosis and lung cancer, making it vital for workers to recognize symptoms quickly and seek medical attention.
Silicosis can lead to complications as well as secondary health problems because of impaired lung function and a lesser ability to fight off infections.
Scarred lung tissue affects lung capacity and strains the heart and additional organs, possibly leading to health issues.
Silicosis complications include:
- Tuberculosis
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Chronic kidney disease
- Respiratory failure
- Progressive massive fibrosis
Silicosis Treatment
Silicosis is not curable. Treatments focus on slowing its progression and managing its symptoms.
Silicosis treatments include:
- Corticosteroids, which reduce lung inflammation.
- Oxygen therapy for those with trouble breathing.
- Bronchodilators to make it easier to breathe.
- Vaccinations to prevent infections which may worsen silicosis.
- Pulmonary rehabilitation to improve lung function.
- Antibiotics to treat respiratory infections.
- Lung transplants, when lung function is extremely compromised and other treatments haven’t been effective.
Silicosis Lawsuit Evidence
Silicosis cases need proof of legal causation via medical documentation.
Expert witnesses in silicosis claims can include forensic economists, industrial hygienists and occupational health physicians.
Helpful evidence in silicosis lawsuits includes:
- Work history timelines including dates, employers, duties and job sites
- Documentation of materials handled and high-dust tasks, such as tasks involving cutting, grinding or polishing silica containing materials
- Prescriptions, pulmonary function tests, treatment records, imaging and medical records which confirm diagnosis
- Pay stubs, employment records and documentation of job changes or missed work due to silicosis
- Respirator documentation, training records and safety materials linked with your jobs
- Records related to compliance and exposure monitoring
- Material and product identification, including artificial stone involvement and supply chain entities
- Contact information and names of coworkers who can confirm job practices and dust conditions
Who Is Liable in Silicosis Claims?
Silicosis lawsuits may be filed against suppliers, manufacturers and employers who failed to provide a working environment that is safe, leading to respirable crystalline silica dust exposure.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that employers limit workers’ respirable crystalline silica exposure to, at most, 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air (50 µg/m³) averaged over the course of an 8-hour workday.
Employers need to implement safety measures like training, protective equipment and ventilation systems to ensure a safe working environment for employees who are exposed to silica dust.
Employers and contractors who fail to monitor exposure, implement dust controls or provide proper respiratory protection can be held liable for silicosis.
Product manufacturers and suppliers can be held liable in silicosis lawsuits when their marketing, warnings or product choices lead to unsafe work conditions, although there is a proposed bill to ban silicosis lawsuits against manufacturers in California.
Legal Claims in Silicosis Lawsuits
Silicosis lawsuits fall under product liability and toxic torts law.
Legal claims in silicosis lawsuits include:
- Negligent workplaces: Employers failing to implement proper dust control.
- Failure to warn: Manufacturers failing to disclose silica dust hazards in their products’ labeling.
- Fraudulent concealment: Companies knowing about the risks of silicosis but failing to disclose them.
- Product liability: Engineered stone slabs that are defectively designed due to their high silica content.
- OSHA violations: Employers ignoring Cal/OSHA standards regarding silica exposure limits.
- Wrongful death: Deceased workers’ families seeking compensation for preventable deaths.
What Occupations Are at High Risk for Crystalline Silica Exposure?
High-risk occupations regarding silicosis include artificial stone fabrication, mining, metal casting, construction, sandblasting, ceramics manufacturing and fracking.
Artificial stone fabricators are especially at risk. Artificial stone may contain over 90 percent crystalline silica. This is significantly more than natural stones such as granite, which contains under 45 percent.
The polishing, grinding and cutting of stone countertops, which commonly contain respirable crystalline silica, may release fine particles into the air. This poses a significant risk to stone fabrication industry workers.
About 2.3 million United States workers face crystalline silica exposure in the workplace, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. High-risk occupations include:
- Stone countertop fabricators and installers: This is the group at the highest risk. Engineered stone products can release dangerous levels of silica dust, even when dust controls are in place.
- Construction workers: Crystalline silica dust is released when cutting concrete, brick or tile. Demolition crews can face particularly heavy exposure.
- Miners and quarry workers: Blasting and drilling through rock can create sustained exposure to silica dust over entire careers.
- Foundry workers: Airborne silica dust can be generated when metal castings are molded, cast or shaken out.
- Sandblasters: Many countries ban silica-based abrasives due to an extreme inhalation risk.
- Fracking and oilfield workers: Hydraulic fracking utilizes large volumes of silica sand. Workers can be exposed to high concentrations of dust.
- Ceramics and glass manufacturing workers: Chronic low-level exposure can result from handling raw silica during production processes.
How to File a Silicosis Lawsuit
You need to obtain a diagnosis of silicosis, if you haven’t already done so, to file a silicosis lawsuit.
Your primary priority is obtaining medical care and protecting the function of your lungs if you have been diagnosed with silicosis. You should schedule a follow-up appointment with a pulmonary specialist.
You should document your history of exposure by writing down:
- Job sites
- Dates
- Job duties
- Employers
- What materials you worked with, particularly during tasks which created a lot of dust
You should keep copies of:
- Pulmonary function tests
- Imaging
- Treatment records
- Diagnosis notes
These documents help to document how your silicosis developed as well as progressed
Do not give statements to product representatives, insurers or employers before you speak with a lawyer or without your lawyer’s permission. You need to understand your legal rights as well as what evidence is important.
Contact a silicosis lawyer. They can help you understand if you qualify to file a lawsuit, what deadlines apply, and what documentation needs to be collected immediately.
You can put yourself in a good position to recover a fair settlement by hiring a lawyer as soon as possible. This helps to build a record before the disappearance of evidence.
How Much Compensation Can I Get for Silicosis?
The average silicosis lawsuit settlement amount can range from $25,000 to over $1 million. It depends on factors like the duration of exposure to silica dust and the severity of the illness.
| Condition | Estimated Compensation |
| Fatal silicosis or accelerated silicosis involving permanent disability | $1 million to $5 million or more |
| Chronic silicosis involving oxygen dependency | $500,000 to $1 million |
| Diagnosed silicosis involving moderate impairment | $250,000 to $500,000 |
Respirable crystalline silica exposure victims could be entitled to financial compensation for economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages in a silicosis lawsuit covers quantifiable financial losses such as diminished earning potential, lost wages and past as well as future medical expenses.
Non-economic damages in silicosis claims may include compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and lost enjoyment of life.
Silicosis compensation in a silica exposure lawsuit may include financial compensation for:
Medical Bills
This includes coverage for past, current and future medical care. This includes compensation for the costs of things like hospital stays, pulmonary rehabilitation, lung transplants, oxygen therapy, ER visits, hospital stays, medications, doctor visits, medical testing, medical treatments, physical therapy and more.
Lost Wages
This is compensation for income lost while you receive treatment or are unable to work.
Loss of Earning Capacity
This is compensation for being unable to return to work or being able to earn at the same level as before because your silicosis caused a long-term or permanent disability.
Pain and Suffering
You may qualify for compensation for physical pain, mental suffering, physical discomfort, fatigue and severe shortness of breath related to silicosis.
Lost Quality of Life
You may qualify for compensation for an inability to maintain an active lifestyle, participate in family activities or enjoy hobbies.
Emotional Distress
Our silica exposure attorneys can help you pursue compensation for fear, depression or anxiety linked to having a progressive illness like silicosis.
Wrongful Death
Our law firm files wrongful death claims on behalf of families who have lost loved ones to silicosis.
If you lost a loved one to severe silicosis, our firm may be able to help you recover compensation for:
- Funeral and burial costs
- The medical bills your loved one incurred prior to passing
- The pain and suffering your loved one endured prior to passing
- The loss of your loved one’s income, household services, spousal benefits, love and companionship
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages can be awarded in silicosis lawsuits when the liable party demonstrates intentional misconduct or gross negligence.
Courts may award punitive damages in cases that involve willful disregard for worker safety. This may occur in cases where employers ignored federal OSHA or Cal/OSHA requirements.
Punitive damages are designed to punish negligent parties and deter future safety violations.
How a Lawyer Can Recover Compensation
Our lawyers can help you recover fair compensation for your silicosis by:
- Thoroughly evaluating your case: We will assess your case’s unique circumstances. This includes your injury severity, your medical bills, your lost wages and additional damages. These factors can all determine how much compensation you qualify for.
- Collecting evidence: We will collect compelling evidence in order to strengthen your claim. This may include medical records, witness testimony, and expert opinions.
- Negotiating with insurers: We are skilled negotiators. We will advocate for you when negotiating with insurance companies over a fair settlement. We will negotiate for a settlement outside of court so a trial is not necessary.
- Advising regarding settlement offers: We will guide you on if settlement offers are fair and if you should accept them. This will help you make informed decisions regarding your case.
- Representing you in court: We are prepared to represent you in court if a fair settlement can’t be reached. We will present a convincing argument to a jury and/or judge in order to secure fair compensation for you.
What Else Can Silicosis Lawyers Do for Me?
If you have developed silicosis, lawyers can do a lot more for you than just recovering financial compensation for you.
Lawyers can:
Provide for Your Family
Silicosis can have a financial impact on the loved ones of those with the disease when the person with the disease is their family’s primary provider.
Compensation from a lawsuit over airborne silica dust causing silicosis can help to provide for the needs of your family as well as alleviate any financial strain that silicosis has caused.
Hold Whoever Is Responsible Accountable
If you’ve developed the progressive lung disease silicosis, filing a lawsuit isn’t just about making sure your future is secure. It’s also about holding anyone responsible accountable for mistakes or negligence which injured you.
You can send a message, by seeking legal action and winning, that recklessness and negligence will be punished. This can encourage better safety standards as well as prevent others from developing silicosis in the future.
Give You Peace of Mind
You can get a sense of relief and peace by knowing you’ve taken steps to provide for your family and secure your future. This lets you focus on recovering and life rebuilding.
Money can never fully compensate for your suffering. However, financial compensation can provide peace of mind and ease financial burdens.
Provide Guidance and Legal Support
It can be overwhelming to deal with a silicosis lawsuit. A lawyer can provide you with needed guidance and support.
Our lawyers can help you by:
- Gathering medical records and obtaining support from experts to link your diagnosis with occupational exposure to silica dust. Effective representation in silicosis claims necessitates knowledge of pulmonary function tests, chest X-rays and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans. We have access to experts who can strengthen your case.
- Investigating your work history, mapping locations where exposure to silica occurred and documenting the tasks that produced silica dust.
- Preserving evidence like witness statements, product identification and job site records.
- Identifying every responsible party and evaluating if multiple companies caused unsafe conditions.
- Handling all communications with defense teams and insurers so they can’t use your statements to minimize your claim.
- Documenting damages, such as reduced earning capacity, lost income, future care needs and medical expenses.
- Preparing your case for litigation or settlement discussions in order to pursue a fair settlement.
Notable Silicosis Settlement Examples
Some notable examples of silicosis verdicts and settlements include:
- $52 million verdict (August 2024): A Los Angeles jury awarded $52 million to a 34-year-old California fabricator who needed a double lung transplant after being exposed to silica dust from engineered stone for 15 years. The defendants included Caesarstone USA and Cambria Company.
- $26 million settlement (April 2025): This settlement was reached after a 51-year-old fabricator was diagnosed with accelerated silicosis and progressive massive fibrosis, becoming dependent on oxygen as a result.
- $9 million settlement (Texas): This settlement covered lifetime care costs and lost wages for a Texas oilfield worker whose silicosis progressed to lung cancer.
- $6 million settlement (Florida): This settlement involved advanced silicosis and oxygen dependency. It involved legal claims including product liability and failure to warn.
Why Choose Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers?
Our experienced silicosis attorneys can help you by providing:
- A free consultation: We offer free consultations. We also handle silicosis cases on a contingency fee basis. This means we charge no legal fee until we win your case.
- A thorough investigation: We will investigate conditions at your work site, collect employment records, and work with medical experts in order to confirm your silicosis diagnosis. We will identify all federal OSHA and Cal/OSHA violations, defective products and third-party negligence linked with engineered stone, defective equipment or quartz surfacing materials.
- Collection of medical evidence: We will work with healthcare providers to recover diagnostic reports such as chest radiographs that have been reviewed by B Readers that are NIOSH-certified. These are vital in building strong silicosis lawsuits.
- Filing as well as negotiating your claim: We will fight for your legal right to fair compensation, whether it is by pursuing a civil lawsuit, negotiating a settlement or filing a claim through workers’ compensation. Our skilled negotiators are ready and willing to go to court for you.
Don’t wait if you’re suffering from silicosis. California’s time limit for filing claims is strict. Lost time could mean compensation lost.
Contact Our Silicosis Attorneys Today
Call us today for a FREE consultation at (800) 718-4658 or contact us if you or a loved one received a diagnosis of silicosis after spending at least one year cutting, fabricating, installing or polishing engineered stone/quartz.
We’ll help you recover fair compensation for your injuries and will charge you no legal fee until we win your case.
We have been handling toxic exposure cases for over 35 years.
Call us today.
Silicosis Lawsuit Frequently Asked Questions
Which Artificial Stone Companies May Be Responsible for Worker Silica Exposure?
Artificial stone manufacturers who may be responsible for workers’ exposure to silica dust include but are not limited to:
- Cambria
- Cosentino: Dekton and Silestone
- Vicostone
- Caesarstone
- Totem Quartz
- Q Quartz
- Hanstone Quartz
- Gulfstone
- Pental Quartz
- LG Viatera
What Does a Silicosis Lawsuit Need to Prove?
Silicosis lawsuits must prove that workers were negligently or recklessly exposed to silica dust by employers or manufacturers.
Evidence which can help prove this includes:
- Witness statements about occupational safety standards not being enforced or adhered to
- Email and video evidence showing how employers failed to provide required safety equipment
Is Silicosis Covered by Workers’ Compensation?
Silicosis is covered by workers’ compensation in California. It is classified as an occupational illness.
If you developed silicosis due to inhaling silica dust at work, you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits which cover medical treatments, lost wages and disability payments.
You will need to provide employment and medical records that prove your silicosis is tied to silica dust exposure in the workplace in order to recover these benefits.
Occupational disease claims are sometimes fought vigorously. Our law firm can help you recover these benefits if you’re facing resistance.
Can I Sue if I Already Received Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation laws commonly protect employers from direct lawsuits.
However, third-party personal injury lawsuits may be filed against any negligent parties outside of claims for workers’ compensation.
Most people who develop silicosis at work can file a lawsuit even after they receive workers’ comp benefits.
Silicosis lawsuits allow victims to recover compensation for things workers’ comp benefits don’t cover, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress and punitive damages.
How Long Can You Live With Silicosis?
The life expectancy with silicosis depends on:
- Silicosis type
- How early it is diagnosed
- Your overall health
Silicosis is an incurable, progressive condition. Survival can range from months to over 20 years.
Many patients with chronic silicosis survive 10 to 20 years or longer.
Those with accelerated silicosis can live for several years with medical support.
Acute silicosis causes the lungs to fill with fluid. It can lead to fatal outcomes within a few months to a few years.
Can You Get Silicosis from One Exposure?
Yes, but it is extremely rare.
Intense, one-time exposures to extremely high levels of silica dust may trigger acute silicosis.
How Much Silica Dust Causes Silicosis?
Silicosis is caused by cumulative or repeated exposure to silica dust. There is no known safe amount of exposure.
The risk of developing silicosis depends on:
- Intensity of dust concentration
- Duration of exposure
OSHA and NIOSH have set the Permissible Exposure Limit regarding silica dust at 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air over an eight hour shift.
However, studies have shown that workers exposed to this limit over a long career can still develop silicosis.
Does Natural Stone Cause Silicosis?
Yes, natural stone can cause silicosis when its dust is inhaled.
Natural stones like granite, sandstone or marble can release silica dust into the air when they are cut, polished or ground.
How Long Does It Take to Get Silicosis?
The time it takes to develop silicosis depends on the intensity and duration of silica dust exposure.
Chronic silicosis usually takes 10 to 20 years to develop due to prolonged exposure to low levels of silica dust.
Accelerated silicosis can develop within five to 10 years due to exposure to moderate levels of silica dust.
Acute silicosis can occur within weeks to months following exposure to high levels of silica dust.
Can a Lung Transplant Cure Silicosis?
Lung transplants are the only therapeutic life-saving option for silicosis patients with end-stage disease.
Studies have shown that advanced silicosis patients can survive 83 to 100 percent of the time for at least one year following a transplant.
Transplant recipients often return to work and report significant improvements in quality of life.
The median survival after lung transplants is typically around six to seven years. Some patients live for over 20 years.
Lung transplant patients must take immunosuppressive medications for life to prevent their bodies from rejecting the new lungs.
Can Silicosis Cause Lung Cancer
The inhalation of respirable crystalline silica dust, which is the cause of silicosis, can also cause lung cancer.
Crystalline silica is classified by the IARC as a Group 1 human carcinogen.
Can Silicosis Kill You?
Yes, silicosis can be fatal.
The inflammation and permanent scarring that silicosis causes inside the lungs makes it difficult to breathe and can lead to death from respiratory failure.
Research shows that the official number of silicosis deaths could be significantly underreported. Estimates suggest that as many as 2,500 to 5,000 new cases of silicosis could be happening every year in the U.S., with many of them misclassified or undiagnosed.
Can You Cure Silicosis?
No. Silicosis cannot be cured. The lung scarring it causes is permanent.
Treatments are available to slow its progression, improve quality of life and manage symptoms.
Do Quartz Countertops Cause Silicosis?
Yes, but only for those who cut or grind them without proper protection.
Grinding, polishing or cutting quartz releases respirable crystalline silica into the air. This can cause silicosis.
Fully installed quartz countertops are safe for homeowners. The finished, hardened stone does not release silica dust.
Does Caesarstone Cause Silicosis?
Cutting, grinding or polishing Caesarstone engineered stone slabs releases respirable crystalline silica dust into the air. This can cause silicosis if the dust is inhaled.
Does Dekton Cause Silicosis
Cutting, grinding or polishing Dekton releases respirable crystalline silica into the air. Inhaling this dust can lead to silicosis.
How Do I Avoid Silicosis?
Ways to avoid silicosis include:
- Controlling dust at the source: Prevent dust from entering the air by using wet methods of cutting, grinding or drilling, using saws and grinders equipped with local exhaust ventilation or on-tool vacuum dust extraction systems, and isolating work processes into blasting cabinets or enclosed, ventilated spaces.
- Practicing strict site hygiene: Use HEPA-filtered vacuums or wet mops instead of dry sweeping, don’t eat, drink or smoke in dusty areas, wash your face and hands before eating or smoking outside of these areas, and change into clean clothes at work before leaving.
- Wearing proper respiratory protection: Wear OSHA-compliant, fit-tested respirators and be clean-shaven so respirators achieve airtight seals.
Can I Join a Silicosis Class Action Lawsuit?
There is not currently a silicosis class action lawsuit and our firm is not planning on filing one.
We are, instead, filing individual lawsuits on behalf of silicosis victims.
We are filing individual lawsuits rather than a class action lawsuit because we believe we can recover more compensation for victims through individual lawsuits than through a class action lawsuit.
Call us today for a free consultation to discuss if filing an individual lawsuit or a class action lawsuit is right for you.
How Long Does a Silicosis Lawsuit Take?
The duration of silicosis litigation can wildly vary.
Some silicosis cases may settle only months after they begin.
Other cases will take years, particularly when they require trials.
Factors which influence how long a case will take include:
- Case complexity
- The strength of your case
- Court schedules
- How many parties are involved
You have a better chance at recovering an early settlement if your case is particularly strong.
How Long Do I Have to File a Silicosis Lawsuit?
The time limits to file silicosis lawsuits in California are:
- Personal injury: Typically two years from the date you discovered or reasonably should have discovered that workplace exposure to silica dust caused silicosis.
- Wrongful death: Typically two years from the date of death or from the date you discovered or reasonably should have discovered that workplace exposure to silica dust caused silicosis, whichever comes later.
- Workers’ compensation: You have one year from the date of knowledge of work-related silicosis or the date of the injury to file a workers’ compensation claim.
The statute of limitations regarding filing a silicosis claim often starts one to two years from the date of discovery or diagnosis of the disease.
Most states give a two-year period to file a silicosis lawsuit after diagnosis. This can vary based upon state laws as well as specific circumstances surrounding the case.
Consult with a lawyer as soon as possible to make sure evidence can be preserved, your legal rights can be protected, your case can be as strong as possible and your lawsuit can be filed on time.
Silicosis Lawsuit Updates
August 26, 2026 Update
According to a new study published in NEJM Evidence, almost 600 silicosis cases have been documented by California in workers who have handled quartz countertops since the year 2019, and this includes over 30 deaths and dozens of cases involving severe lung damage necessitating a lung transplant.
The findings were published by the California Department of Public Health on August 12, warning that the disease often develops in workers after periods of exposure that are relatively short.
The report found that exposure to silica dust could increase the risk of tuberculosis and autoimmune disorders.
595 cases of silicosis were identified, including 56 workers requiring lung transplants and 31 deaths.
The study states that its data is being used to change regulations and policy in California, including mandatory silicosis reporting and new workplace rules that are more stringent.
2024 saw state regulators inspect 85 quartz countertop fabrication shops, finding safety regulation violations in 95 percent of them.
The researchers noted that ventilation and water-based tools may suppress exposure, but noted that they are costly to maintain and install and wouldn’t prevent all silicosis diagnoses or exposure to silica dust.
June 3, 2026 Update
Thousands of countertop workers in the United States probably have lung damage that is unrecognized, according to David Michaels, a George Washington University epidemiologist who is a workplace safety expert.
Michaels told NPR that California is seeing many workers with silicosis since it has been thoroughly and actively seeking cases, unlike many other states.
Michaels said that there could easily be 10,000 workers in the country with silicosis and potentially “far more.”
Michaels noted that Australia found lung disease in more than 10 percent of its countertop workforce, and that it is estimated that 100,000 people work in the countertop industry in the United States.
Michaels said many workers who seek medical help get misdiagnosed because a lot of doctors are unfamiliar with silicosis and don’t ask about patients’ jobs.
Kenneth Roseman, a Michigan State University expert on workplace disease and silicosis, pointed out that data shows most countertop shops fail to offer medical exams to workers, and that studies have shown that the federal system inadequately collects data on workplace illnesses and accidents that are nonfatal.
Roseman told NPR that 95 percent of silicosis cases in the United States are probably being missed because of this.
April 6, 2026 Update
A lawsuit filed by a California stoneworker in California on March 27 alleges that manufacturers of quartz countertops have known for years that the process of stone fabrication may expose workers to silica dust that is linked with silicosis, yet did not adequately warn or protect workers from this risk.
The lawsuit names as defendants over 25 distributors and manufacturers of quartz countertop products.
The complaint alleges the man worked with quartz countertop materials as part of his job, and was regularly exposed to silica dust that was generated during the processes of installation, grinding and cutting. The lawsuit claims that workers were exposed to silica levels exceeding permissible safety limits even when dust control measures were used.
The lawsuit claims the man was never adequately warned about a silicosis risk despite the industry knowing for a long time that the inhalation of respirable crystalline silica can lead to silicosis.
The lawsuit alleges that product warnings and safety data sheets were misleading and downplayed the severity of dangers by suggesting that protections such as dust masks were good enough, even though they don’t prevent the inhalation of silica particles.
The man alleges he developed silicosis, which has caused ongoing emotional and physical suffering, limited his work and impaired his breathing.
October 23, 2025 Update
A lawsuit filed in California by a California man on October 8 alleges that he developed silicosis because quartz and artificial stone counter top makers he worked for didn’t provide him with the proper safety equipment to prevent him from inhaling silica dust.
The lawsuit alleges that the man has been left with silicosis, progressive massive fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis and other types of lung damage.
Dozens of respiratory safety device manufacturers, countertop retailers and artificial stone suppliers have been named as defendants in the lawsuit.
The lawsuit alleges that the man only discovered that the equipment he was given was inadequate when he was diagnosed with silicosis and additional lung damage.
The lawsuit alleges the man now has a higher risk of lung cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and kidney disease, and will probably need a lung transplant in the future.
August 5, 2025 Update
A new study found that artificial stone benchtop installers face a more significant risk of developing asthma than the general population.
The study found that one out of every five workers in the industry reported asthma – this is double the expected rate of those of similar age in the general population.
The researchers found that workers with more exposure to dust, even workers without silicosis, had a higher chance of reporting asthma symptoms.
More than half of the workers with asthma symptoms said the symptoms improved on holidays or weekends, when they weren’t at work.
The researchers stated that the findings suggest that exposure to artificial stone dust may be associated with obstructive lung disease development, in addition to the development of silicosis.
July 16, 2025 Update
A lawsuit filed in California on July 2 by a California man alleges that he as well as other stonecutters were exposed unnecessarily to silica dust for numerous decades, without proper instructions about protective gear or adequate warnings which could have helped the workers avoid developing silicosis.
The lawsuit names multiple quartz and artificial stone countertop manufacturers as defendants, in addition to protective gear makers, as defendants.
According to the lawsuit, the man worked as an installer, fabricator and cutter of artificial stone countertop products from 2003 until March 2025, when he received a silicosis diagnosis.
The lawsuit claims that respiratory protection given to him as well as other workers was inadequate or defective, leading to the workers being exposed to silica dust as well as toxic substances like chromium, arsenic, aluminum, toluene and benzene.
Because of this, the lawsuit alleges the man developed:
- Silicosis
- Pulmonary nodules
- Progressive massive fibrosis
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Other types of lung damage
The lawsuit also alleges the man also now has a much higher risk of developing:
- Lung cancer
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Chronic kidney disease
- Systemic sclerosis
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
The lawsuit seeks to recover compensation based on the following causes of action:
- Breach of warranty
- Fraudulent concealment
- Design defect
- Failure to warn
- Negligence
June 30, 2025 Update
A lawsuit was filed in California on June 16 alleging that manufacturers of artificial stone countertops have known for many years that exposure to silica dust could cause silicosis, yet the industry has not provided adequate warnings regarding a need for adequate respiratory protection.
The lawsuit names dozens of individuals and companies as defendants, including those linked to the distribution, sale and manufacturing of artificial stone countertop products.
One of the plaintiffs alleges he worked for different stone cutting companies in California for 24 years, but was never adequately warned about silicosis risks, leading to unsafe work conditions which lacked respiratory protection.
The plaintiff alleges he has been left with lung disease which is characterized by silicosis, pulmonary nodules, progressive massive fibrosis and pulmonary fibrosis, among other forms of lung damage.
The lawsuit notes that the United States government started warning about silicosis risks in foundry workers in 1917, and that decades of further safety alerts and research should have left the stone cutting industry well aware of the dangers of silica dust exposure.
The lawsuit points out that occupational silicosis was known to be an issue in ancient Greece and Egypt.
May 30, 2025 Update
A lawsuit was filed by a California man on May 15 in California alleging that he developed silicosis after being exposed to silica dust. The lawsuit claims that artificial stone countertop manufacturers failed to warn workers such as himself about the link between silica dust exposure and silicosis. The lawsuit names multiple stone countertop companies, alleging they failed to provide protective equipment or adequate warnings to stone fabricators and cutters.
The lawsuit alleges the man spent almost 30 years fabricating countertops made of artificial stone, and was diagnosed with silicosis in May 2024. The plaintiff alleges he wasn’t warned about health risks associated with silica dust inhalation and wasn’t provided with medical screenings or adequate protective equipment.
May 19, 2025 Update
A new study has found that many cases involving silicosis in fabricated stone workers also involve a condition which is known as sarcoidosis. The researchers have thus coined the term silicosarcoidosis in order to describe cases of the combined illness.
Silicosis is an incurable lung condition caused by inhalation of silica dust. It starts with lung scarring and inflammation, and often leads to lung failure and a need for a lung transplant.
Sarcoidosis is a different lung disease. It can cause swollen areas to develop in the lymph nodes and lungs.
The researchers found that a majority of silicosis patients also had sarcoidosis.
January 6, 2025 Update
California officials adopted new safety standards regarding those who work with fabricated or artificial stone countertop products. The new safety standards are intended to reduce silicosis risks.
On December 19, it was announced that the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board unanimously voted to permanently enshrine emergency regulations for those who work with silica dust.
Those emergency regulations had been put in place in December 2023. The regulations required exposure assessment rules, a stronger reporting process, and improved monitoring of workers.
Last month, the board also voted to create a committee to look at possible additional measures in order to protect workers from exposure to silica.
It was announced that in the last 12 months, Cal/OSHA did 85 silica exposure inspections, leading to 26 percent of shops inspected receiving Orders Prohibiting Use, temporarily shutting down processes or equipment which pose immediate safety risks. In addition, 95 percent of closed inspections resulted in citations being issued.
Over 230 workers in California have developed silicosis since the year 2019, and 14 have died.
