Workers who cut, grind, polish, fabricate, or install stone products may face serious health risks from exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust. For some workers, that exposure can lead to silicosis, a severe and potentially life-altering lung disease.

At Lieberman Blecher & Sinkevich, we are reviewing potential claims involving New Jersey workers who developed silicosis after working with natural stone, quarry materials, engineered stone, quartz countertops, and other products that can release hazardous silica dust.

What Is Silicosis?

Silicosis is a serious lung disease caused by breathing respirable crystalline silica, a fine dust that can be generated when stone is cut, drilled, ground, polished, crushed, or fabricated.

Because these particles are extremely small, they can travel deep into the lungs. Over time, exposure may cause inflammation and permanent scarring that interferes with normal breathing.

Stone and construction-related workers may be exposed to silica dust while:

• Cutting or grinding countertops
• Fabricating engineered or natural stone
• Working in quarries
• Crushing or processing stone
• Drilling or polishing stone
• Installing stone products

Silicosis can develop gradually after years of exposure, but some workers experience a faster progression depending on the intensity and duration of the exposure.

Why Silicosis Can Be So Serious

Silicosis is permanent and irreversible. As the disease progresses, workers may experience persistent coughing, shortness of breath, fatigue, and declining lung function.

Severe cases can lead to:

• Progressive massive fibrosis
• Respiratory failure
• Need for supplemental oxygen
• Lung transplantation
• Increased risk of lung cancer and other serious illnesses
• Premature death

In many cases, workers do not immediately realize the extent of their lung damage. Symptoms may appear or worsen only after the disease has already progressed.

Potential Legal Claims Involving Silica Exposure

Across the country, workers with occupational silicosis have pursued lawsuits seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses. These cases often involve allegations concerning silica exposure, product warnings, workplace safety practices, and the conduct of companies involved in manufacturing, distributing, selling, or using stone products.

Reported verdicts and settlements in some silica-related cases underscore the seriousness of these claims, although prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any particular matter.

Workers with a silicosis diagnosis should consider speaking with an attorney to understand whether they may have rights beyond workers’ compensation.

Every case is different. The legal options available to a worker may depend on the products involved, the worker’s job duties, the location and duration of exposure, the medical diagnosis, the companies involved, and applicable New Jersey law.

How Lieberman Blecher & Sinkevich Can Help

If you live in New Jersey or were exposed while working in New Jersey, and you have been diagnosed with silicosis or another serious lung condition after working around stone or silica dust, Lieberman Blecher & Sinkevich would like to speak with you.

Our firm has experience handling toxic-exposure and occupational injury matters. These claims may require a careful investigation into work history, job sites, materials handled, safety practices, medical records, and the companies or other parties that may be responsible.

Depending on the circumstances, an injured worker may have potential claims against product manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, property owners, or other entities. A prompt review is important because time limits may apply.

A silicosis diagnosis can be overwhelming, but you do not have to evaluate your legal options alone.

If you or a family member has been harmed by occupational silica exposure, contact Lieberman Blecher & Sinkevich to discuss your situation.

Call 732-355-1311

Visit liebermanblecher.com

Lieberman Blecher & Sinkevich represents people in New Jersey who have been seriously injured by toxic exposures. We are here to help.

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this article or contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different, and time limits may apply to potential claims. You should consult an attorney promptly regarding your specific situation.