Silicosis Lawsuit Filed Against Artificial Stone Manufacturers, Distributors

Defendants failed to protect artificial stone countertop workers from silica dust, despite knowing about the silicosis risks since the late 1930s, the lawsuit claims.

A California man who worked with artificial stone countertops for nearly a quarter century has brought a lawsuit against a number of different manufacturers of the engineered stone slabs, indicating that a lack of warnings caused him to develop an incurable and often fatal lung disease, known as silicosis.

Ignacio Ladino Castillo filed the complaint (PDF) in the Superior Court of California in Los Angeles on November 6, naming various different artificial stone, marble and granite manufacturers as defendants, alleging that they knew about the silicosis risks since the late 1930s, but failed to disclose the potential side effects from silica dust when the countertops are cut, fabricated or installed.

Silicosis Health Concerns

Silicosis is an irreversible and often deadly respiratory condition caused by breathing in silica, a chemical compound that is mixed with naturally occurring quartz to make stone and marble countertops. Symptoms often start with lung inflammation and scarring, and eventually progresses to lung failure.

Often referred to as “engineered stone” the fabricated artificial stone countertops have been found to pose a significant silicosis hazard for workers, who often inhale large volumes of silica dust as they shape and cut the countertops to fit consumers’ kitchens and bathrooms. Previous research has also linked silica dust inhalation to lung cancer.

As a result of the manufacturers’ failure to adequately warn about the long-term health risks from silica dust, or provide instructions about steps that could be taken to reduce exposure, Castillo now joins a growing number of artificial stone workers pursuing silicosis lawsuits after developing the devastating condition.

Castillo indicates in the lawsuit that he worked in Los Angeles as a stone countertop fabricator and installer from 2000 to 2024. During that time, he cut, ground, drilled, polished, fabricated and installed the countertops in kitchens and bathrooms.

As a direct result of exposure to silica dust from the artificial stone countertops, Castillo indicates that he was diagnosed with silicosis lung disease in May 2024, and also faces a significantly increased risk of developing other silica-related illnesses, including lung cancer, chronic kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis.

The lawsuit points out that silicosis has been known to be a threat to countertop fabricators and installers for decades, with the Labor Department initiating programs to reduce the risks of silicosis as far back as 1996, and concerns about silicosis lung disease were first mentioned at a National Silicosis Conference in 1938. However, the artificial stone slabs have continues to be sold and distributed without adequate warnings for workers.

“Plaintiff Ignacio Ladino Castillo was responsible for this work and installing the slabs in kitchens and bathrooms around California,” the lawsuit states. “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 Ignacio Ladino Castillo has had to receive substantial medical treatment and will likely require lung transplantation.”

The silicosis lawsuit asserts claims for negligence, failure to warn, design defect, fraudulent concealment and breach of implied warranties. Named defendants include Agoura Hills Marble and Granite Inc., Artisan Tile & Stonework, Bella Stone & Tile, Caesarstone USA Inc., Cistones Inc., Classic Stone LLC, Compac Quartz Inc., Francini Inc., G & B Marble & Quartz Inc., Gem International Inc. and numerous other stone and quartz countertop manufacturers.

While many workers are just now learning about the risks associated with the artificial stone countertops, lawsuits allege that manufacturers placed a desire for profits before the safety of workers, by withholding critical warnings and information about their products.

In some cases that have gone to trial in recent years, stone cutters and fabricators have been awarded large silicosis lawsuit payouts by juries. Most recently, in August 2024, a jury awarded $52.4 million in damages to an artificial stone fabricator who developed silicosis.