Engineered stone—the quartz slab sold for kitchen and bathroom countertops—can contain far more crystalline silica than natural granite or marble. Cutting, grinding, polishing, or drilling it releases a fine dust that reaches deep into the lungs. Across California, stone workers are being diagnosed with silicosis, an irreversible lung disease, decades younger than the disease used to appear.
I represent California stone workers and their families after a silicosis diagnosis. The consultation is free, and you do not need records or brand names to start the conversation.
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Prefer to call? 510.918.2076Who Should Reach Out
If you worked with engineered stone and have been diagnosed with silicosis or another silica-related lung disease, I would like to hear from you. That includes:
Fabricators and finishers
Anyone who cut, ground, edged, polished, or drilled engineered stone slabs in a shop.
Installers
Workers who cut or adjusted countertops on the job site, where dust controls are often more limited.
Helpers and nearby workers
Laborers, helpers, and anyone who worked near the cutting. Breathing the dust counts, whatever the job title.
Families
A spouse, parent, or adult child reaching out for a worker who is too sick to call, or who has passed away.
Symptoms to Watch For
Silicosis can be present before it is felt. When symptoms appear, they often build gradually and are easy to mistake for a cold or a smoker’s cough. Common signs include:
Shortness of breath
Often noticed first with effort: stairs, lifting, or getting through a full shift.
A cough that lingers
A cough that lasts for weeks or keeps coming back.
Fatigue or weakness
Tiredness that does not improve with rest.
Chest tightness or pain
Pressure or discomfort in the chest, especially when breathing hard.
Unexplained weight loss
Losing weight without trying.
Fever or night sweats
Possible signs of infection, including tuberculosis, which silicosis makes more likely.
Silica exposure has also been linked to lung cancer, COPD, kidney disease, and autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. If you have worked with stone and notice any of these symptoms, see a doctor and tell them about your work history.
Albazian Law is also investigating silicosis claims involving engineered stone in California. Read about the silicosis investigation.
Silicosis & Engineered Stone FAQs
I have symptoms but no diagnosis. Should I call?
Start with a doctor. Tell them you have worked with engineered stone and ask whether you should be evaluated for silicosis. You are welcome to contact the firm at any point.
I was diagnosed but I am still working and feel mostly fine. Is it too early to call?
No. Silicosis is progressive and cannot be reversed, and engineered stone workers have been diagnosed in their thirties and forties after only a few years of exposure. You do not need to wait for symptoms to worsen before reaching out.
What if the shop I worked at has closed, or I cannot remember the brands?
That is a normal starting point. Employer names, job sites, approximate dates, coworkers, and photographs can all help identify the products involved. Piecing that together is work the firm does after you call, not before.
Can a family member call for a worker who is too sick, or who has died?
Yes. A spouse, parent, adult child, or other family member can start the conversation. Tell us your relationship to the worker and what you know about their stone work and diagnosis.
What does a silicosis case cost?
The consultation is free. These cases are handled on contingency: no attorney’s fee unless there is a recovery, with the terms set out in writing before any representation begins.
This page is general information, not legal or medical advice. Contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship.