Silicosis from Engineered Stone Countertop Exposure
Workers Exposed to Silica During Countertop Manufacturing, Finishing, or Installation May Have Legal Rights - Contact our Experienced Texas Trial Lawyers Today.LPM is accepting silicosis cases for workers exposed to silica-containing dusts during the cutting, grinding, or polishing of stone slab, or sandblasting operations.
If you or someone you care about has encountered complications or injuries associated with exposure to silica during countertop manufacturing, finishing, and installation, you may be entitled for compensation. At Laminack, Pirtle & Martines, we specialize in cases involving workplace-related injuries, and we're here to help you understand the current landscape of silicosis lawsuits.
What is Silicosis and How is it Caused?
Silicosis is an incurable, progressively disabling, and potentially fatal disease caused by inhalation of respirable crystalline silica (RCS). RCS particles are 100 times smaller than ordinary sand allowing them to become trapped in the lungs, causing inflammation and scarring which can ultimately lead to silicosis.
What are the Symptoms of Silicosis?
Symptoms of silicosis vary depending on the duration and intensity of RCS exposure. Common symptoms include, but are not limited to, shortness of breath, muscle weakness, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss. A long-lasting (persistent) cough, inflammation in your lung tissue, and scarring in your lung tissue are often diagnostic symptoms as stated by the Clevaland Clinic.
History of Silicosis
Silicosis has become a growing health concern for workers who manufacture, fabricate, finish, and install engineered stone countertops. The risk is particulary significant when workers are exposed to respirable cyrstalline silica dust generated when engineered stone is cut, ground, polished or otherwise manipulated.
In 2014, public health officials reported a case of silicosis in a countertop fabricator, drawing attention to the serious health risks associated with occupational exposure to silica dust.
In August 2026, the New Egnland Journal of Medicine - Evidence published a public health alert concerning silicosis among workers fabricating engineered stone countertops in California. The alert described ongoing monitoring by the California Department of Public Health and reported 592 cases of silicosis between 2019 and 2026, including 65 lung transplants and 31 deaths.
On Feburary 26, 2026, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) issued a hazard alert identifying respirable crystalline silica (RCS) exposure as a serious workplace hazard for workers involved in the manufacturing, finishing, and installation of engineered stone products.
If you have worked around the cutting or finishing of stone countertops or sandblasting operations, and have silicosis or other respiratory problems, please contact our office for a case evaluation.
Speak With Our Professionals
Consult our experienced attorneys to discuss your options or call 713-292-2750 for any additional assistance