Engineered stone silicosis claim eligibility for injured consumers

Workers exposed to silica dust when cutting, grinding and polishing

Engineered stone, commonly marketed as quartz countertops, is a manufactured countertop material that contains 90% to 95% crystalline silica - far more than natural stone such as granite and marble. 

When engineered stone slabs are cut, ground, or polished, they release crystalline silica dust into the air. Because of this high silica content, inhalation of the dust is extremely toxic and can cause permanent lung scarring, leading to accelerated silicosis and other severe, sometimes fatal lung diseases.

Workers are exposed to silica dust in many ways on the job, including:

• Dry cutting: cutting or resizing quartz slabs without adequate water suppression to reduce dust
• Grinding or polishing: smoothening of edges or surfaces, resulting in a high volume of dust
• Deficient ventilation: working in workshops where dust is allowed to settle and recirculate
• On-site installation: performing final touches or adjustments inside homes without proper dust collection

Workers performing these tasks are most exposed. Even after only a few years of shop exposure, young men in their 20s-40s are developing accelerated silicosis, a fast-developing disease that often requires major medical intervention.

What is involved in filing an engineered stone claim?

These are individual liability cases. This means that even if a worker receives Workers’ Compensation, they may also be eligible to file a claim against the manufacturers and suppliers of the stone that failed to warn them about the extreme risks posed by their products.

To qualify for a claim, a worker typically must meet the following criteria:

• Work history: at least 1 year of experience fabricating, cutting, polishing, or installing engineered stone
• Medical diagnosis: A confirmed diagnosis of Silicosis (any type), PMF, or severe restrictive/obstructive lung disease
• Evidence: Medical records such as HRCT scans or X-rays showing nodules or fibrosis
• Referral: Documentation of a lung transplant evaluation or referral

The forms of rapid and potentially fatal lung disease caused by engineered stone exposure

Engineered stone silicosis is progressive, so it continues to worsen even after exposure has stopped. The most frequent diagnoses tied to exposure include:

• Accelerated silicosis: rapid scarring of the lungs within 5-10 years of exposure
• Progressive Massive Fibrosis (PMF): the most advanced form of the disease, involving large masses of scar tissue
• Respiratory failure: the inability of the lungs to provide enough oxygen to the body
• Lung Transplant Candidacy: Many young workers now need a transplant evaluation or a double-lung transplant to survive
• Restrictive Lung Disease: Permanent loss of lung capacity and elasticity

Worker categories at risk of silica exposure

Any worker involved in refining quartz surfaces is exposed to significant risks. The greatest danger lies in environments where 'dry cutting' happens, although even "wet" methods can leave hazardous residue. Those at highest risk are:

• Countertop fabricators and cutters
• Polishers and grinders
• Installation crews
• Manufacturing plant workers
• Remodelers

A significant portion of the affected workers is from the Latino community, which often represents the core of the stone fabrication industry. It is important to note that U.S. citizenship is not required to file a claim for injuries sustained in the workplace.

Why timing is critical in engineered stone silicosis cases

The statute of limitations for filing a product liability claim varies from state to state, but the window of opportunity is often narrow - sometimes only 1 or 2 years from the date of diagnosis. Because this disease progresses rapidly, it is essential to seek legal evaluation as soon as symptoms or a diagnosis are present.

Recent legal cases show how serious the hazard of engineered stone silicosis is

While silica has historically been a disease that developed over decades of mining and masonry, engineered stone silicosis is different. Due to the extremely high silica content of quartz, workers are developing "accelerated" or "acute" forms of disease.

Recent California legal verdicts have shown that manufacturers are being held liable for worker injuries and the failure to warn about the risks of quartz countertops:

• 2024 California Verdict: A jury awarded $52.4 million to a 34-year-old fabricator who developed accelerated silicosis and required a double-lung transplant - the first case of its kind
• 2025 Settlement: A $26 million settlement was reached for a 51-year-old fabricator, with several stone manufacturers and suppliers agreeing to pay for his damages

Quality assistance for injured stone workers

Atraxia Law has a long history of evaluating complex toxic exposure and liability claims. We understand the physical and emotional impact that a silicosis diagnosis takes on an individual or their family. Our team is prepared to analyze your work history and medical files to determine if you are eligible for compensation from stone manufacturers responsible for your illness.

If you or a loved one worked with engineered stones and is now facing a lung disease, get in touch with our experts for a free case evaluation.