Sick from Silica Dust Exposure? Here’s How a Silicosis Lawyer Can Help.

Experts say that the prevalence of the disease silicosis in workers who fabricate, cut, and polish quartz countertops is reaching epidemic levels. If you believe that you have become ill after inhaling silica dust, you may be entitled to compensation through a silicosis lawsuit.

At Pond Lehocky, we stand up for workers who have been harmed during the course of their employment. Call us today or reach out through our website to tell our expert workers compensation attorneys your story.

Quartz countertops contain high concentrations of crystalline silica—up to 90 percent. The silica is combined with resins, fillers, and pigments to make the finished product, which is then shipped to local fabrication shops across the country for cutting to size and finishing. When the material is cut, ground, or polished, it releases silica dust into the air. This is extremely dangerous to breathe. While safety precautions are recommended, including respirators, wet cutting, and mechanical ventilation, they’ve shown to be both inadequate and imperfectly implemented across the industry.

Silicosis is an incurable disease that occurs when silica dust particles enter the lungs. It causes inflammation and scarring, which lead to irreversible lung damage, chronic coughing, and difficulty breathing. Affected people may need a variety of treatments, such as supplemental oxygen or lung transplants. The disease can cause lung cancer, disability,  and premature death.

Currently, more than 500 cases of silicosis have been identified among workers in California alone, with 27 deaths and 54 lung transplants. The median age for workers at diagnosis is 46 years, with the median age for death being 49 years. These numbers only show a part of the picture; many workers will not seek treatment because they do not speak English or do not have regular medical care. Silicosis also has a multi-year latency period, where people are affected but do not show symptoms.

With the increasing prevalence of the disease, disputes are being raised about who is at fault. The Western Occupational and Environmental Medical Association (WOEMA), a collective of workplace health experts in a few Western states, point to the material itself as the problem, and say that there is no safe way to cut it, even with safety standards in place. The group has petitioned the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board to completely ban the cutting of engineered stone that contains high percentages of silica. A similar ban was put into place in Australia in 2024. However, manufacturers of engineered stone place the blame on workers at local cutting shops. Republicans on a subcommittee of the House Judiciary committee have discussed a bill that would prohibit workers from suing the manufacturers of engineered stone on the grounds that the products are not inherently dangerous and the responsibility for safety lies with the third-party fabricators who cut the stone.

If you are a countertop cutter who has been diagnosed with silicosis or is experiencing any symptoms, contact an attorney immediately. A work injury lawyer will be able to help you determine if you’re eligible for compensation from this deadly, but completely preventable, disease.

For a free consultation with expert, compassionate silicosis attorneys, call Pond Lehocky today or reach out through our online form.

Who Can File a Silicosis Lawsuit?

Our attorneys are actively investigating countertop cutting claims nationwide. You may be eligible to bring a case if you:

• Have worked in the countertop cutting industry
• Are unable to work due to silicosis
• Have been diagnosed with silicosis, even if it has not progressed to affecting your work
• Have incurred substantial medical bills and other expenses
• Have been otherwise injured or sickened in the course of your work

A silicosis lawsuit can help you pursue compensation for:

• Medical expenses, whether they’re past, current, or future
• Hospitalization and ICU care
• Transplant costs
• Lost wages and earning potential
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Other out-of-pocket costs

Each claim is different, with factors that are specific to you. A free case review from our expert silicosis lawyers can give you the clarity you need to decide your next legal steps.

Call us today, or reach out through our website to speak to our expert legal team.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. Always consult a doctor about medical concerns and an attorney about your specific legal rights.