Lawsuit Alleges Silicosis Diagnosis Caused by Toxic Dust From Artificial Stone Slab Fabrication

Working with artificial stone led to the development of silicosis, lung disease, chronic kidney disease and autoimmune problems, lawsuit claims.

A California man has filed a silicosis lawsuit, indicating that he will likely need a lung transplant after being exposed to silica dust from working with artificial stone and quartz countertops for approximately 10 years.

The complaint (PDF) was filed by Raul Alvarado and Maria Ramirez in California Superior Court in Los Angeles on December 31, naming Caesarstone USA, Inc., Francini, Inc., Natural Stone Resources Inc. and Verona Quartz Inc as defendants, marking one of the many silicosis lawsuits increasingly being filed in the state.

Silicosis is an irreversible and often deadly lung condition, which is only known to be caused by breathing in silica dust. The disease starts with lung inflammation and scarring, but can eventually progress to lung failure, which carries a high risk of death.

A major source of silica dust is the fabricated stone countertop industry. Often referred to as “engineered stone,” these popular quartz countertops have been linked to a significant silicosis risk for stone workers, who often inhale large volumes of silica dust as they shape and cut the countertops to fit consumers’ kitchens and bathrooms.

Alvarado’s complaint joins other workers and surviving family members who have filed silicosis lawsuits against manufacturers and distributors of quartz countertops, alleging that they failed to provide information to stone cutters and fabricators about the potential risks associated with exposure to silica dust.

The lawsuit indicates Alvarado worked as a fabricator and installer of stone countertops in San Fernando, California, from 2014 to 2024. During that time, he cut, ground, drilled, edged, polished, fabricated and installed the stone countertop products made by the defendants.

Alvarado claims that as a direct result of his work and exposure to silica dust, he was diagnosed in June 2024 with lung disease, silicosis, chronic kidney disease and autoimmune disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis.

“As a direct and proximate result of his exposure to silica, metals, and other toxins within said stone products manufactured, distributed, supplied, contracted, and/or brokered by Defendants, Plaintiff Raul Alvarado has had to receive substantial medical treatment and will likely require lung transplantation,” the lawsuit states.

He presents claims of negligence, failure to warn, design defect, fraudulent concealment and breach of implied warranties. Ramirez presents a claim of loss of consortium.