Quartz Countertop Silicosis Lawsuits

Protecting Fabricators and Installers

At Faraci Lange, LLP, our Rochester-based legal team is investigating serious injuries involving workers who have developed silicosis or sarcoidosis after working with engineered stone, commonly known as quartz. If you or a loved one worked as a stone fabricator or installer in New York and have been diagnosed with silicosis or sarcoidosis, you may be entitled to significant compensation. 

Silicosis and Sarcoidosis Risks for Quartz Workers in New York

While natural stones like granite and marble contain some silica, engineered quartz countertops are composed of up to 90% crushed quartz, held together by resins. When this material is cut, ground, or polished, it releases microscopic "crystalline silica" dust. If breathed in, silica dust can cause lung fibrosis or scarring, although workers may not have any symptoms for years. Eventually, damage to the lungs can lead to silicosis, which is progressive, has no cure, and can be fatal. Inhaled silica dust can also cause a multisystem inflammatory disease, known as sarcoidosis. Because silicosis and sarcoidosis are overlapping, researchers have proposed that when silica dust is involved, the disease process should be called “silicosarcoidosis.” 

Even with the use of masks and water-suppression methods, research suggests there may be no truly safe way to process these materials. The health risks are so severe that Australia became the first country to ban engineered stone in 2024 to protect workers from this incurable lung disease.

Who is at Risk?

We are currently seeking to represent individuals in Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse and across New York who have worked with quartz for six months or longer and have received a confirmed medical diagnosis of silicosis. This includes:

• Fabricators and Cutters: Those responsible for the heavy grinding and shaping of quartz slabs.
• Installers: Workers who perform on-site cutting, trimming, or polishing to fit countertops.
• Shop Laborers: Anyone exposed to the high-density dust environments where quartz is processed.

Symptoms of Quartz-Related Silicosis and Sarcoidosis

Silicosis is a progressive disease that causes permanent scarring of the lungs (fibrosis). Sarcoidosis causes inflammation, and can be reversible. Symptoms of both often include:

• Shortness of breath (initially only with exertion).
• Persistent, dry cough.
• Chest pain and fatigue.
• Respiratory failure in advanced stages.

The Emerging Legal Landscape: MDL and National Litigation

The legal tide is turning against manufacturers of engineered stone. In 2024, a California jury awarded $52 million in a landmark verdict, finding major quartz manufacturers, Cambria and Caesarstone partially at fault for damages to an installer who developed silicosis.

As more workers across the United States are diagnosed with "accelerated silicosis"—a faster-progressing version of the disease often seen in younger workers—legal experts anticipate the formation of a Multi-District Litigation (MDL). This would centralize lawsuits to hold manufacturers accountable for defective products and failing to warn workers about the health risks of silica dust.

Why Choose Faraci Lange, LLP?

Based in Rochester, NY, Faraci Lange, LLP has a long history of leading complex mass tort and product liability cases. We understand the science behind silicosis and are prepared to challenge the manufacturers who prioritized profits over the safety of New York tradespeople.

If you have a confirmed diagnosis of silicosis and a history of working with quartz countertops, contact our Rochester office today for a free, confidential consultation. We handle these cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.