Synthetic stone countertops made from quartz dust, resins, and colorants have been linked to a serious lung disease called silicosis. Manufacturers and distributors have been held liable for millions in damages because they failed to warn workers of the dangers associated with silica and artificial stone. If you cut, installed, finished, or manufactured quartz countertops and building products and have developed breathing problems, contact Jim Glaser Law for assistance recovering the compensation you may deserve.
Experiencing Breathing Problems After Working With Quartz Countertops?
Synthetic stone countertops have been banned in Australia. Numerous lawsuits are pending in the United States due to the risk of silicosis. If you worked as a countertop installer, manufacturer, or handyman and developed breathing issues, you may be able to recover compensation. Contact us today!
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Legal Experience
Jim Glaser has 30 years of experience serving clients across Massachusetts. Our team has in-depth legal knowledge and a wealth of industry connections to help you prove your silicosis claim.
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Client-First Service
Our team offers clear communication and honest legal advice to help you understand your rights. We’re here to serve you. At Jim Glaser Law, we’ll do everything we can to restore your health and finances.
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Mass Torts
We aren’t afraid to take on the biggest companies when they manufacture defective or dangerous products. Our attorneys handle mass torts, multi-district litigation, and high-profile personal injury cases.
Table of Contents
- What Is Silicosis?
- Who’s at Risk for Developing Silicosis?
- What Products May Cause Silicosis?
- National Silicosis Lawsuits
- Who’s Responsible for Silicosis From Quartz Counters?
- Damages Available in Silicosis Lawsuits
- How Massachusetts Silicosis Lawyer Jim Glaser Can Help
- Massachusetts Silicosis Lawsuit FAQs
- Get a Free Case Review With a Local Silicosis Lawyer
What Is Silicosis?
Silicosis is a chronic lung disease linked to the inhalation of silica dust. This crystalline mineral made from silicon dioxide (SiO₂) is found in quartz, sand, stone, concrete, and other common building materials. Micro-particles known as respirable crystalline silica (RCS) are released when stone and manufactured alternatives are mined, manufactured, cut, and polished. These tiny particles evade the body’s natural defense systems and enter deep into the lungs. Over time, they cause inflammation and scarring of the alveoli, the air sacs that are responsible for exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide in the bloodstream. This can lead to serious breathing issues and irreversible lung damage.
Common Silicosis Symptoms
Silicosis typically takes several years to a decade or more to develop. Workers may not notice warning signs until permanent lung damage has occurred. The condition is typically diagnosed by chest X-rays, CT scans, and oxygen levels. These are a few of the most common silicosis symptoms:
- Shortness of breath or chest tightness
- Persistent cough, either dry or productive
- Fatigue from decreased oxygen levels
- Respiratory failure due to poor oxygen exchange
- Fever or night sweats due to infection
- Cyanosis in the lips, fingers, or nailbeds
- Enlarged fingertips due to low oxygen levels
- Secondary health concerns, such as TB
Who’s at Risk for Developing Silicosis?
Silicosis is an occupational illness associated with stonecutters, miners, and material handlers. Workers in California were the first to file lawsuits for injuries from quartz countertops. However, silicosis affects workers in Massachusetts and across the country. Individuals in the following industries have the highest risk:
- Stonecutting and masonry
- Construction and demolition
- Countertop and surface installation
- Glass and stone manufacturing
- Polishing and refinishing
- Ceramics and pottery
- Mining and quarrying
- Sandblasting
What Products May Cause Silicosis?
Silicosis caused by the inhalation of RCS particles is typically associated with the cutting and finishing of natural and synthetic stone materials that contain a high percentage of quartz, a type of silica. Engineered stone countertops experienced unprecedented popularity thanks to their durability and wide range of colors and patterns. According to the U.S. International Trade Commission, the amount of quartz surfaces imported into the United States increased by 800% between 2010–2018, so it’s likely that the number of injured workers and contractors will increase dramatically in the coming years. Some of the most popular makers of quartz countertops have already faced silicosis lawsuits, as have distributors. These brands include:
- Caesarstone USA, an engineered stone maker based in Israel
- Cambria Company LLC, a U.S.-based quartz countertop maker
- Cosentino, the Spanish manufacturer behind Silestone
- Distributors and big-box retailers, such as Lowes and Home Depot
National Silicosis Lawsuits
In August 2024, California stonecutter Gustavo Reyes Gonzalez was the first plaintiff to receive a jury verdict in his silicosis lawsuit. The 34-year-old plaintiff was awarded $8 million of the $44 million in damages requested, as the L.A. County jury found that the manufacturer was only partly responsible for the injuries. More than 20 other defendants settled their claims out of court. The companies that were found responsible during the trial include Caesarstone USA, Cambria, and Color Marble, an L.A.-based stone distributor. While the Gonzalez case was the first major silicosis lawsuit to go to trial, there has been a flood of recent lawsuits. Government officials are still trying to determine how many workers may be affected.
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Who’s Responsible for Silicosis From Quartz Counters?
From a legal standpoint, silicosis can be both a workplace injury and a product liability claim. This can make it more difficult to prove who is responsible. Coupled with the fact that symptoms can take 5 to 15 years or more to develop, it can be challenging to gather all of the evidence needed to prove that the plaintiff was exposed to the manufacturer’s product through each phase of the supply chain.
Most companies and contractors don’t keep purchase orders and shipping receipts from more than 7-10 years ago. Additionally, few people have photos of actual working conditions to document exposure levels over the course of years. That’s why it’s important to work with a skilled trial attorney who has handled similar high-stakes personal injury claims. Here are 2 ways that liability can be considered in silicosis lawsuits:
Now that quartz surfaces must come with warning stickers informing users of the risks, juries are more likely to find that employers are responsible for failing to follow these safety precautions. Recent juries have found employers to be up to 70% at fault.
In theory, employers may be responsible if they failed to provide necessary safety equipment and PPE. This could also be true if they failed to repair malfunctioning equipment, such as a wet-cutting saw that was not applying the correct amount of water to protect the user.
Finally, countertop installers and materials handlers may be eligible to file a workers’ compensation claim in Massachusetts since the silica exposure occurred on the job. In this case, the employer’s insurance company will pay for necessary medical care and offer short- or long-term disability benefits to cover a portion of lost wages.
In the landmark Reyes Gonzalez silicosis lawsuit, attorneys argued that the safety warnings provided were not adequate. The plaintiff’s experts claimed that even with appropriate, properly functioning safety equipment, workers were still at risk as the particles are too small to see.
One scientist stated that artificial stone is a “uniquely toxic product” that’s not safe to cut or grind with wet or dry methods. However, the other side argued that it is safe with appropriate technology while noting that this equipment may be cost-prohibitive for small workshops.
Manufacturers have a variety of defense strategies, but there’s growing evidence that some companies downplayed known risks. The Spanish quartz manufacturer Cosentino was involved in a large lawsuit against stone masons over concealing the dangers of their Silestone products in Europe. In July 2024, Australian lawmakers voted unanimously to ban artificial stone, so there’s increasing evidence that these products are not safe.
Damages Available in Silicosis Lawsuits
Silicosis is an incredibly difficult, progressive disease that deprives hard-working, skilled tradespeople of the one thing they need to live: oxygen. In advanced cases, patients may need lung transplants to restore normal respiratory function if the tissue is damaged and scarring is severe. Some plaintiffs have been awarded considerable damages for their medical care and pain and suffering although some verdicts are still being appealed. Here’s a quick look at some of the damages that may be available in a silicosis lawsuit.
- Medical Expenses: From chest X-rays and surgical procedures to breathing treatments and respiratory therapy, silicosis can result in considerable medical bills. A knowledgeable personal injury attorney can help you recover damages for past and future medical care, including medications.
- Lost Income: Breathing issues can affect your ability to work and support your family. Additionally, many contractors, carpenters, and cabinet installers have specialized skills and talents that do not translate to other industries or don’t offer the same level of compensation they may deserve. At Jim Glaser Law, our goal is to ensure that you are fully compensated for any lost wages. If you’re disabled, you may be entitled to lost income until retirement age.
- Pain and Suffering: Plaintiffs in silicosis lawsuits are also entitled to non-economic damages for pain and suffering. Dealing with breathing issues and struggling to perform daily activities, such as mowing the lawn, getting groceries or playing with the kids, can cause considerable mental and emotional hardship that you deserve to be compensated for.
How Massachusetts Silicosis Lawyer Jim Glaser Can Help
While silicosis can develop gradually over years or decades, the diagnosis can change your life over night. At Jim Glaser Law, we focus on helping clients go up against the biggest companies when their products cause serious injuries. See how we can help:
- Responsive Service: Whether you need an initial consultation, a second-opinion, or have a question about a pending case, we’re here to help you. Although the legal process is slow, our goal is to help your case move as efficiently as possible.
- Clear Communication: Talking to lawyers and dealing with major medical bills can be overwhelming. We try to simplify the process and speak to you in your own language without any fancy legal terms. We’ll always give you our best advice when it comes to your case.
- Aggressive Representation: Jim Glaser is a nationally recognized trial attorney with 30 years of experience. He will analyze the facts of your case, explain your options, and help you pursue maximum compensation for your injuries.
Massachusetts Silicosis Lawsuit FAQs
It typically takes 15 years or more for symptoms of chronic silicosis to develop. Timelines vary greatly depending on the degree, frequency, and duration of exposure. Symptoms can develop much faster than previously thought. With the rising popularity of manufactured quartz countertops, there’s been an increase in acute and accelerated silicosis cases that develop in less than 5 years, especially in young workers.
Absolutely, PPE is essential for anyone who is cutting, finishing, or polishing quartz countertops. Masks are not enough. Manufacturers have finally updated their safety instructions. They recommend wet-cutting to reduce dust, powered respirators to prevent inhalation, and HEPA-vacuums for cleanup. However, there may still be health risks due to residual particles.
Engineered stone countertops sold as quartz or quartzite contain the highest concentration of silica. They’re about 90-95% silica, and the remainder is made from resins and colorants, which may also cause breathing issues when inhaled. Natural granite countertops also contain a moderate amount of naturally occurring silica (about 20-45%), as do ceramic and porcelain tiles.
Yes, quartz and RCS have been linked to other health conditions besides silicosis. According to the CDC and OSHA, heavy silica exposure has been linked to kidney damage. About 10% of stone workers with silicosis also have kidney disease due to the inflammatory particles. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has labeled RCS as a Group 1 carcinogen based on the risk of lung cancer. Workers may also be diagnosed with COPD before they develop full-blown silicosis.
It’s difficult to say if there is a safe level of exposure. However, OSHA regulations set the permissible exposure limit for RCS at 50 μg/m3 as an 8-hour weighted average. Per industrial hygiene practices, the action level is 25 μg/m3, which means that employers must take steps to control pollution levels and monitor employee’s health at this stage.
Get a Free Case Review With a Local Silicosis Lawyer
If you worked in the construction, mining, or manufacturing industry and have developed breathing issues due to silica or quartz exposure, we may be able to help you recover compensation from your employer or the manufacturer. Personal injury attorney Jim Glaser has 30 years of legal experience helping clients in Sharon, Boston, and all of Massachusetts. We have a team of attorneys to fight for your rights. If you’re outside the area, we can refer you to a legal professional in your jurisdiction. Contact us today to schedule a free, confidential consultation.