Engineered stone countertops have become widely used in residential and commercial construction, but the materials used to produce them may pose serious health risks to workers. Many engineered stone products contain extremely high levels of crystalline silica. When these materials are cut, ground, or polished, fine silica dust can be released into the air and inhaled, leading to a progressive and irreversible lung disease known as silicosis.
Silicosis is preventable. When manufacturers fail to adequately warn about the dangers of silica exposure, or when products are designed in a way that creates unreasonable risk to those working with them, they may be held legally responsible. Across the country, litigation involving silicosis is expanding and raising significant questions about product safety, warnings, and industry practices. Wyche is investigating injury claims arising out of potential silica exposure associated with engineered stone products.
Claims involving engineered stone often arise from long-term occupational exposure and may involve multiple responsible parties, including manufacturers, distributors, and employers. Wyche is reviewing matters involving the following:
Failure to Warn
Manufacturers may be liable when warnings about the risks of silica dust are inadequate, unclear, or fail to communicate the severity of potential harm. Even where warnings exist, they must meaningfully inform workers of the dangers and necessary safety precautions.
Defective Product Design
Silica is commonly found in sand, quartz, and many other types of rock. In addition, engineered stone products may contain higher concentrations of silica than natural stone. Claims may arise where the design of the product creates an unreasonable risk of harm, particularly when safer alternatives or formulations may be available.
Occupational Silica Exposure
Workers who cut, shape, or install engineered stone countertops may be exposed to dangerous levels of airborne silica dust over time. Prolonged exposure can result in serious respiratory illness, even when basic safety measures are in place.
Negligence in Training or Safety Guidance
Manufacturers and suppliers may face liability where they fail to provide adequate instruction, training, or guidance on safe handling practices, including the use of proper ventilation, wet-cutting techniques, or protective equipment.
Wrongful Death Resulting from Silicosis
In severe cases, silicosis can lead to respiratory failure and death. Wyche is evaluating potential claims involving fatal exposure to silica dust.
Silicosis cases require careful investigation, technical understanding of product design and industrial safety, and the ability to navigate complex liability involving multiple parties across jurisdictions. These cases are also part of a developing area of litigation, where individual claims may contribute to broader accountability within the industry.
Wyche has experience handling serious injury and wrongful death matters and is committed to pursuing accountability for preventable harm. Our attorneys work to uncover how exposure occurred, evaluate the adequacy of warnings and safety measures, and identify all responsible parties.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with silicosis or suffered serious illness after working with engineered stone, Wyche is prepared to evaluate your situation and discuss potential next steps.
Please note: Reference to these matters should not be considered as any sort of guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of any other legal matter, regardless of any similarities. The outcome of a particular case cannot be predicted upon past results, as every case is different and must be evaluated separately, upon a variety of factors unique to each case. In addition, the cases listed on the web site are illustrative only, and do not represent all of the cases that the law firm or the lawyers have handled. For further information, please read our full legal disclaimer.
Jessica Fickling focuses her practice on representing clients in complex civil litigation in state and federal court. Her primary practice has consisted of representing individuals and their loved ones who have suffered catastrophic personal injuries, including from medical and professional negligence, or who have been aggrieved in complex business disputes. She has also served as class counsel on behalf of both Plaintiffs and Defendants in class action consumer and environmental matters and has represented medical practices, practitioners, companies, and individuals in pharmaceutical and false claims litigation.
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