Quartz Countertop Worker Files Silica Exposure Lawsuit After Silicosis Diagnosis

Growing number of silicosis lawsuits allege manufacturers failed to adequately warn that inhaling crystalline silica dust can cause permanent, progressive damage to the lungs.

A California countertop worker has filed a lawsuit alleging years of cutting, fabricating and polishing engineered stone exposed him to respirable silica dust, resulting in silicosis, pulmonary fibrosis and other lung damage.

The complaint (PDF) was brought by Raul Mata Martinez in the California Superior Court for Los Angeles County on August 10. It names Caesarstone USA Inc., Bella Stones Inc., Colorquartz USA Inc. and various other manufacturers and distributors of engineered stone as defendants.

Martinez claims the companies misrepresented their products as safe, deliberately concealing known respiratory hazards of engineered stone.

Quartz Countertop Worker Risks

Engineered stone, also known as quartz, has become increasingly popular over the past several decades because of its appearance and durability. However, the material may contain up to 90% crystalline silica, which can be released into the air as hazardous dust when slabs are cut, ground or otherwise fabricated for use in kitchen and bathroom countertops.

Repeated exposure to silica dust can leave installers, fabricators and other stoneworkers at risk of severe and potentially life-threatening lung injuries, including silicosis and pulmonary fibrosis.

Silicosis is a permanent and progressive lung disease caused by inhaling fine crystalline silica particles, which can trigger inflammation and scarring that gradually reduces lung function. In severe cases, the disease may progress to respiratory failure and leave individuals requiring a lung transplant. A growing number of silicosis lawsuits have been filed in recent years, alleging manufacturers failed to adequately warn about these risks.

Countertop Worker Silicosis Allegations

According to the complaint, Martinez polished natural stone countertops and installed them at residential and commercial jobsites around Phoenix from 2008 through 2011. In the following years, he did similar work in Las Vegas. From 2019 to the present, he cut, fabricated and polished both natural and engineered stone countertops for residential and commercial installations throughout the Los Angeles area.

The filing alleges that transforming those materials into countertops exposed Martinez to silica and aluminum trihydrate on a near-daily basis, with the particles entering his body through inhalation. Those exposures allegedly caused or contributed to his silicosis, pulmonary fibrosis and other lung damage.

Martinez says he first became aware he may have silicosis on June 4, 2026, following an examination through the Silicosis Surveillance Program at UCLA Olive View Medical Center. He maintains that before that date, he did not know and could not reasonably have discovered that his stone exposure had caused toxic lung injuries. 

The lawsuit alleges that the defendants knew or should have known their engineered stone would be cut, fabricated, polished and installed, releasing airborne silica and other toxins. However, the products were allegedly sold without adequate warnings about the risk of silicosis, pulmonary fibrosis and lung damage, despite those foreseeable uses.

Martinez points to federal concerns about occupational silicosis dating back to the early 20th century, arguing the dangers associated with stone dust have been recognized for decades. He claims the manufacturers nevertheless failed to provide adequate information about protective measures needed when cutting and working with their products, and maintains stronger warnings and safer designs could have reduced silica exposure among workers.

“The aforementioned conduct of Defendants, and each of them—specifically, their failure to warn and their manufacture, supply, and/or distribution of defectively designed products—proximately caused Plaintiff Raul Mata Martinez to suffer severe and permanent injuries, including silicosis, pulmonary fibrosis, and other lung damage, mental and emotional stress attendant to such injuries, and future increased risk of injuries.”

— Raul Mata Martinez v. Caesarstone USA Inc. et al.

The lawsuit raises allegations of failure to warn, design defect, negligence, intentional failure to warn and concealment. It seeks general, exemplary and punitive damages.

Quartz Countertop Lawsuits

Martinez’s case joins a series of silica dust lawsuits being pursued nationwide by countertop fabricators, installers and stoneworkers who developed silicosis and other serious respiratory problems following occupational exposure to dust released from engineered stone.

Individuals may qualify for damages if they have been regularly exposed to silica dust and were diagnosed with any of the following illnesses or diseases:

• Silicosis
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Kidney disease
• Lung cancer
• Lung infections, like tuberculosis

Silicosis lawyers are reviewing potential claims for quartz countertop workers throughout the country who were exposed to silica dust on the job and subsequently diagnosed with silicosis. In these cases, lawyers offer free evaluations to determine whether individuals may be eligible to pursue compensation.

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