Quartz Countertop Dust Exposure Led to Silicosis, Interstitial Lung Disease: Lawsuit

After 25 years in the stonecutting industry, quartz countertop worker developed lung injuries that are both incurable and progressive.

Stonecutters who spent a career working with artificial stone continue to file silicosis lawsuits against a myriad of California quartz countertop manufacturers, saying they never received adequate education or instructions about the importance of taking steps to reduce the risk of severe injuries linked to silica dust exposure.

One of those is Julio Cesar Mejia, who brought a complaint (PDF) against 19 different defendants in California Superior Court in Los Angeles County earlier this month, indicating his diagnoses of silicosis and interstitial lung disease were the result of years of working in the industry.

Silicosis is an irreversible lung disease that is only known to be caused by routine exposure to silica dust, which most often comes from cutting artificial stone products. Silica dust can cause lung inflammation and scarring, often resulting in the development of lung failure, and the need for lung transplant surgery.

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) refers to a group of disorders that cause inflammation and scarring of lung tissue. While it has many possible causes, silica dust exposure while cutting or fabricating quartz countertops is a well-documented risk factor, alongside conditions such as silicosis.

Mejia’s claim is one of dozens of silicosis lawsuits filed by stonecutters from California in recent months, each raising similar allegations that the workers developed silicosis while working with artificial stone products due to quartz countertop dust exposure.

According to the complaint, Mejia began working in the artificial stone industry in 2000 and has been a stonecutter for more than a quarter century, fabricating and installing artificial stone, granite and marble slab products.

However, he claims that manufacturers of quartz countertop failed to provide adequate warnings for workers about the dangers they faced from silica dust exposure and the impact it may have on their health. As a result of the failure to recommend the use of proper personal protective equipment to manage exposure levels, the lawsuit indicates that workers are consistently exposed to high levels of silica dust and numerous other compounds used in stone countertop fabrication.

Mejia indicates he has been diagnosed with interstitial lung disease, silicosis and pulmonary fibrosis. His injuries are progressive, incurable and may require a lung transplant.

He presents claims of negligence, failure to warn, design defect, fraudulent concealment, and breach of implied warranties. Mejia seeks both compensatory and punitive damages.

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