Silicosis

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.

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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.

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

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.

There are several risk factors for mesothelioma, including genetic risk and prior radiation therapy to the chest. However, by far the most significant risk factor in mesothelioma cases is a history of exposure to asbestos or living with someone who has been exposed to asbestos. 

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

Types of silicosis

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

Lamiot, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Photo © Pixabay

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

Q&A

What is 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.

What are the symptoms of silicosis?

Since silicosis often develops slowly, symptoms may initially be mild and worsen over time. These symptoms include a persistent cough, coughing up phlegm, shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, and muscle weakness.

Who can file a silicosis lawsuit?

Most silicosis cases occur through exposure on the job. If you or a loved one have been exposed to silica dust working in the stone fabrication industry and have since developed silicosis, you may be able to pursue a civil lawsuit.

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.

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Silicosis

i 3 Table of Contents

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

What is silica dust?

Types of engineered stone linked to silicosis