Frequently Asked Questions — Countertop Silicosis Lawsuit

The countertop silicosis lawsuit targets manufacturers of engineered stone countertops — including Caesarstone, Cosentino (Silestone), Cambria, and others — alleging that they sold products containing 90-95% crystalline silica without adequately warning workers about the risk of silicosis. Workers who cut, grind, and polish these products inhale silica dust that permanently scars their lungs. The lawsuits also name distributors and major retailers (Home Depot, Lowe's, IKEA) and fabrication shop owners who failed to provide proper respiratory protection.

You may be eligible if you: (1) worked with engineered stone countertops — cutting, grinding, polishing, installing, or general fabrication; (2) have been diagnosed with silicosis, progressive massive fibrosis (PMF), lung cancer, or another occupational lung disease; OR have breathing problems after fabrication work; (3) were not adequately warned about silicosis risks or provided proper respiratory protection. Duration of work, type of stone, and specific tasks all factor into eligibility. Consult an attorney to evaluate your specific situation.

No. Workers' compensation and a product liability lawsuit are completely separate legal remedies. Workers' comp is paid by your employer's insurance for work-related injuries. A product liability lawsuit targets the companies that manufactured and distributed the hazardous stone product. You can generally pursue both simultaneously. Workers' comp does not release manufacturers from their liability to you. In some states, there may be liens or coordination rules — an attorney can advise on your specific situation.

No. Your immigration status does NOT affect your legal right to file a product liability lawsuit. You were exposed to a hazardous product on US soil and suffered injury. Manufacturers owe a duty of care to all workers regardless of immigration status. Your personal status is protected and will not be used against you in this litigation. Many attorneys who handle these cases regularly represent workers regardless of immigration status.

Engineered stone (quartz, artificial stone) contains 90-95% crystalline silica by composition — far higher than natural granite (approximately 30%) or marble (approximately 5%). When engineered stone is cut or polished, it produces extremely fine respirable silica particles at much higher concentrations than natural stone. This means workers are exposed to dangerous levels of silica dust much faster, leading to silicosis diagnoses in workers as young as their mid-20s — decades earlier than traditional silicosis from mining or construction.

Silicosis is a lung disease caused by inhaling crystalline silica particles. The particles lodge deep in the lungs and cause permanent scarring (fibrosis). Silicosis is NOT reversible — once the scarring occurs, it cannot be undone. It often progresses even after exposure ends. There are three forms: chronic silicosis (develops after 10+ years of lower-level exposure), accelerated silicosis (develops within 5-10 years of higher exposure), and acute silicosis (develops within weeks to 5 years of very heavy exposure — common in engineered stone workers). Many engineered stone workers are developing accelerated or acute forms because of the extreme silica content.

Filing deadlines vary by state and are typically 2-3 years from when you discovered — or reasonably should have discovered — the connection between your work and your lung disease. The discovery rule is critically important here: many workers didn't know about engineered stone silicosis risks until recently. Your deadline may start from your diagnosis date or when you first learned the connection. Some states (Kentucky, Tennessee, Louisiana) have shorter 1-year deadlines. Don't assume you've missed your window — consult an attorney promptly.

As of early 2026, there is no formal MDL established for countertop silicosis cases, though one is anticipated. This means we are in the PRE-MDL phase — which creates a first-mover advantage for plaintiffs who file early. Cases are being filed in multiple state and federal courts across the country. Early filers often receive more favorable positions in any eventual settlement structure. Filing now also helps preserve evidence and avoids statute of limitations issues.

Yes. Even if your former employer is out of business, your claims against the stone manufacturers, distributors, and retailers remain valid. They manufactured and sold the hazardous product. Employment status or employer viability does not affect your product liability claim against the manufacturers.

Potential compensation in product liability cases can include medical expenses (past and future treatment), lost wages and reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and in severe cases, lung transplant costs and end-of-life care. No attorney can promise a specific outcome — individual case values depend on severity of injury, extent of exposure, and specific facts. The litigation is pre-MDL and no settlements have been announced at this stage.