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Countertop Worker Exposure to Silicosis Lung Disease

Over the past decade and a half, engineered stone countertops, also known as “quartz surfacing”, have increased exponentially in the United States for home building and home improvement. These types of countertops are created from quartz aggregate and held together with a resin binder to create a similar appearance to natural stone. 

Both natural stone and engineered stone contain crystalline silica, a naturally occurring compound that, in dust form, can cause a deadly lung disease, known as Silicosis. However, the engineered stone contains a significantly higher amount of crystalline silica. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), engineered stone contains more than 90% while natural granite has less than 45%. 

Workers who manufacture, finish, and install natural and engineered stone countertop products are at risk of being exposed to silica dust. Employers have a legal obligation to provide safe work environments for workers to keep their exposure under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards of permissible exposure limit (PEL).

If you or a loved one worked with engineered stone countertops and now have contracted Silicosis, you may be eligible to file a worker’s compensation or personal injury claim for compensation. At Rose, Klein & Marias LLP our Los Angeles personal injury attorneys are dedicated to helping clients get the full and fair compensation they deserve. Call us today at (866) 679-7512 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation to learn more about your options. 

Why Choose Rose, Klein & Marias LLP?

When you choose Rose, Klein & Marias LLP to represent you in your Silicosis claim, you get:

  • A firm with two partners who are certified specialists in workers’ compensation law, Howard Lehman and David Galperson
  • A team of passionate and dedicated lawyers who will stop at nothing to obtain the best possible results for clients
  • A firm with a track record of success – we have obtained billions of dollars in settlements for clients, including an $11.3 million workers’ compensation settlement

If you are suffering from Silicosis, you don’t have to file a claim on your own. Let Rose, Klein & Marias LLP help you fight on your behalf to secure the compensation you deserve. 

Signs and Symptoms of Silicosis

Silicosis is a respiratory disease, caused by long-term inhalation of silica dust. Signs and symptoms of silicosis include:

  • Chest tightness
  • Chronic cough
  • Shortness of breath, especially when exerting oneself
  • Weakness and fatigue
  • Weight loss
  • Wheezing
  • Swollen legs

Silicosis is usually seen in workers after 10 or more years of exposure to silica dust. Workers who are exposed to high levels of silica dust may experience more rapid development. The small crystalline silica particles, when inhaled can also cause:

  • Lung cancer
  • Kidney disease
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Cardiovascular impairment
  • Autoimmune disorders
  • Lung infections 

countertop worker exposure to silicosis

Legal Options For Workers Who Have Contracted Silicosis

If you or a loved one are suffering from Silicosis after prolonged exposure when working with engineered stone countertops, you may have the right to seek compensation in the following ways:

Worker’s Compensation Claims

Worker’s compensation claims may provide benefits for employees who contracted silicosis at work. This system allows workers to receive compensation without having to prove their employer acted negligently. Compensation may cover economic damages such as:

  • Medical expenses for treatments
  • Tests
  • Medication
  • Ongoing care
  • Partial wage replacement
  • Disability benefits

However, it is important to note that worker’s compensation does not cover non-economic damages like pain and suffering. Additionally, workers will have to prove that the condition arose due to being exposed to silica particles at work. A specialized Los Angeles workers’ compensation attorney can help you build a strong case to prove this. 

Personal Injury Claims

Personal injury claims may be an option if a third party’s negligence contributed to contracting

Silicosis due to defective safety equipment, like faulty respirators or hazardous materials supplied without proper warnings. Potentially liable parties could include manufacturers or suppliers. 

Personal injury claims may allow victims to obtain both economic and non-economic damages, however, these types of claims require the victim to prove negligence by showing that the third party breached their duty of care, which in turn caused the illness.

Let The Silicosis Attorneys At Rose, Klein & Marias LLP Help You

Filing a claim for compensation due to contracting Silicosis from working with engineered stone countertops can involve intricate legal steps. At Rose, Klein & Marias LLP, we believe that victims may benefit from the guidance and knowledge of an experienced personal injury lawyer who can help gather the necessary evidence, file the proper paperwork, and negotiate a fair settlement. If you or a loved one were exposed to silica working with countertops and contracted Silicosis, contact our experienced Silicosis attorneys in Los Angeles today to begin filing your claim.