Overview

Contact Attorney: Timothy E. Jackson, Lawrence K. Holcomb 

Injury: Silicosis caused by exposure to silica dust.

Defendant: Employers, manufacturers, and other companies responsible for individuals’ silica dust exposure.

Practice: Mass Tort

Latest Update: January 14, 2026 — Artificial stone manufacturers petition lawmakers for immunity from silicosis lawsuits. 

Manufacturers of artificial stone countertops are asking federal lawmakers to ban workers from bringing silicosis lawsuits. Workers and public health experts have criticized the move as a bid to escape accountability and protect profits. 

Case Team

Principal Attorneys: Timothy E. Jackson, Lawrence K. Holcomb 

Principal Paralegal: Rachel Dougherty 

Supporting Paralegal: Gabriela Lopez 

 

Silica Dust Linked to Lung Disease: Seeking Justice for Silicosis from Workplace Exposure

Workers in the stone-cutting and fabrication industries may have been exposed to silica dust, a microscopic particle that lodges in the lungs and causes a serious disease called silicosis. Silica dust is released when materials like quartz countertops are processed, cut, or polished. 

The Wallace Miller team is investigating cases of silicosis and seeking to hold manufacturers and employers accountable for exposure. Reach out to our team at 331-425-8022 or fill out our online case evaluation for a free, confidential discussion of your potential case. 

Injury

What is silica dust?

Crystalline silica is a common mineral found in the earth’s crust. It is contained in many building materials including stone, concrete, and mortar and is used to make artificial or engineered stone. Engineered stone, including quartz, marble, granite, and sandstone, contains high levels of silica. When these products are processed, ground, or cut, microscopic silica dust particles are released into the air. 

This dust, also called respirable crystalline silica (RCS), is 100 times smaller than a grain of sand. Without proper safety precautions, workers inhale this silica dust and can develop serious lung diseases including silicosis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, millions of workers in the U.S. are exposed to RCS every year. 

Types of engineered stone linked to silicosis

Engineered stone countertops have become very popular in recent years. This type of stone contains large amounts of silica, which results in higher levels of airborne silica dust particles when cut. These countertops, some of which contain more than 90% silica, have been linked to a recent spike in serious silicosis cases across the country. 

The products with the highest level of silica exposure risk include: 

• Engineered stone quartz, manufactured by brands including Cambria, Caesarstone, Cosentino, and Colorquartz 

• Natural stone, including granite and marble 

• Sandblasting media or silica sand 

These products often release silica dust during the cutting, shaping, grinding, and finishing processes. Workers exposed to dust may have used tools including: 

• Circular saws 

• Bridge saws 

• Hand grinders 

• Handheld polishers 

What you need to know about silicosis

Silicosis occurs when silica dust particles are inhaled and become trapped in lung tissue. This leads to inflammation and scarring that builds up inside the lungs and damages immune cells. Over time, this reduces the lungs’ ability to take in oxygen. 

Silicosis often takes years or even decades to manifest, although higher levels of exposure may result in faster development of the disease. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may require serious medical intervention, including supplemental oxygen or lung transplants. Silicosis can also be fatal. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that between 3,600 and 7,300 cases are diagnosed each year in the U.S., with between 200 and 300 deaths. That number is expected to rise as awareness grows. 

Types of silicosis

Silicosis is classified based on the level of exposure and how fast the disease develops. Types of silicosis include: 

Chronic silicosis

The most common type, chronic silicosis is caused by exposure to low to moderate silica dust over many years. Because it develops so slowly, workers may not receive a diagnosis until decades after their exposure.

Subacute or accelerated silicosis

This form of silicosis results from exposure to high levels of silica dust in a short period of time. It typically develops over two to five years, as the rate of scarring is much faster than with lower exposure.

Acute silicosis

Acute silicosis results from exposure to very high levels of silica dust over a very short time. This is typically the most severe form of silicosis, as lung tissue becomes inflamed and may fill with fluid. Acute silicosis usually takes less than five years to develop but may be diagnosed in a matter of months. 

Symptoms of silicosis

Since silicosis often develops slowly, symptoms may initially be mild and worsen over time. These symptoms include: 

• Persistent cough 

• Coughing up phlegm or pink foam 

• Shortness of breath 

• Chest pain 

• Fatigue 

• Muscle weakness 

Management of silicosis

There is no treatment or cure for silicosis and the damage to the lungs can’t be reversed. However, in many cases, symptoms can be managed. Management of silicosis may include: 

• Lifestyle changes, like changing jobs or quitting smoking 

• Taking a bronchodilator, a medication that opens airways 

• Using supplemental oxygen 

• Going through pulmonary rehabilitation to strengthen breathing muscles 

• Lung transplants in severe cases 

Secondary conditions in people diagnosed with silicosis

By attacking immune cells in the lungs, silicosis damages the immune system. This makes people with silicosis more vulnerable to other diseases and conditions, including: 

• Lung cancer

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

• Emphysema

• Kidney disease

• Tuberculosis (TB)

• Autoimmune diseases

Plaintiff & Defendant

Who can file a silicosis lawsuit?

Most silicosis cases occur through exposure on the job. While silica dust exposure is historically associated with mining and construction, the rise in high-silica countertops has led to a spike in silicosis cases for workers in the countertop industry. 

If you or a loved one have been exposed to silica dust working as a stone fabricator or in the stone fabrication industry and have since developed silicosis, you may be able to pursue a civil lawsuit. Our team can help you discuss the circumstances of your exposure and determine the best legal path forward. 

Who can be held responsible in a silicosis lawsuit?

Silicosis is a fully preventable disease. Civil lawsuits seek to hold the people and companies responsible for workers’ exposure to silica dust accountable. These include engineered stone countertop manufacturers, suppliers of engineered stone, and employers who failed to provide adequate safety protections to their employees. 

In 2022, about a quarter of workplaces tested by OSHA exceeded the legal limits for silica dust. Employers are legally required to monitor air levels and provide employees with safety measures, which may include: 

• Wet methods (methods that involve water feeds to keep dust down) for cutting, grinding, or processing 

• Ventilation, dust collection, or local exhaust systems 

• Respirators  

• Other engineering controls 

Landscape

The legal basis for silicosis lawsuits

Silicosis lawsuits typically allege that negligent behavior from a manufacturer or employer led to silica exposure. Stone countertop manufacturers may be held accountable for failing to adequately warn workers of the high silica levels in their products, or employers may be held accountable for failing to provide protective equipment or warnings.

Filing a wrongful death silicosis lawsuit

In some cases, silicosis can be fatal. If you have lost a loved one to silicosis, you may be able to file a civil lawsuit to help cover the costs of medical treatment, funeral expenses, and more. 

While no amount of money can make up for losing a loved one, wrongful death lawsuits help alleviate financial pressure and allow families to move forward. The legal team at Wallace Miller can help you assess the options for a civil suit and determine the best way to pursue justice. 

Timeline

January 14, 2026 — Artificial stone manufacturers petition lawmakers for immunity from silicosis lawsuits. 

Manufacturers of artificial stone countertops are asking federal lawmakers to ban workers from bringing silicosis lawsuits. Workers and public health experts have criticized the move as a bid to escape accountability and protect profits. 

January 14, 2026 — Workers in California sue artificial stone manufacturers and distributors. 

Fabrication workers in California have filed a federal lawsuit against manufacturers and distributors of artificial stone products. The plaintiffs are calling for companies to pay for medical monitoring for workers. 

December 2025 — Massachusetts issues safety alert after state’s first confirmed silicosis case in countertop workers. 

After the state’s first confirmed case of silicosis among countertop workers, Massachusetts public health officials issued a safety alert urging employers to protect their employees from exposure to silica dust. 

2024 — Australia bans high-silica artificial stone. 

Australia becomes the first country to prohibit the sale and use of high-silica artificial stone. 

September 2023 — Scientific study finds high rates of silicosis in countertop fabrication workers. 

The scientific journal JAMA Internal Medicine has published a study finding a high rate of silicosis in countertop fabrication workers. 

2018 — OSHA establishes new workplace silica exposure standards for employers. 

In response to rising rates of silicosis, OSHA has established new standards for stone fabrication employers. These standards include requirements for engineering controls like wet methods and ventilation to reduce exposure. OSHA estimates that these measures will prevent 600 deaths from silicosis every year. 

Contact

The silicosis lawsuit team at Wallace Miller

Workers in the stone-cutting and countertop fabrication industry trusted that manufacturers and employers would follow safety precautions and warn them of exposure risks. Instead, these companies put workers in danger of developing serious and life-threatening diseases. 

If you have received a silicosis diagnosis, you and your family deserve justice. The Wallace Miller litigation team can help you investigate where and when you were exposed to silica and identify the best way to seek compensation. 

Reach out to our team at 331-425-8022 or fill out our online case evaluation for a free, confidential consultation. Our silicosis lawsuit team will work with you to assess your case and determine how to move forward within the legal process.