NYC Health Officials Warn of Deadly Silicosis in Countertop Workers

Quartz Countertop Dust Can Destroy a Worker's Lungs in Just a Few Years, and Workers' Comp Covers the Damage

New York City health officials are warning that countertop workers who cut engineered stone face a deadly lung disease called silicosis. In a September 2026 health advisory, the city reported at least seven suspected cases in New York State. One of those workers recently died in New York City.

The warning matters for anyone who cuts, grinds, or installs quartz countertops. The disease can show up within five to 10 years of exposure, and it can't be reversed. Workers' comp covers silicosis, no matter a worker's immigration status. A New York silicosis lawyer can help sick workers and their families get the benefits the law promises.

Why Quartz Countertops Are So Dangerous to Workers

Engineered stone is often sold as "quartz" or "artificial stone." It's popular in kitchens and bathrooms because it looks like natural stone and resists stains. But cutting, grinding, and polishing it throws off a fine dust. When workers breathe that dust in, it lodges deep in the lungs and leaves scars that never heal.

The danger comes from how much silica the material holds. According to city health officials, engineered stone is more than 90% crystalline silica. That's over twice the level in natural granite. As a result, engineered stone workers get sick younger and after less time on the job than other workers exposed to silica dust.

The results can be devastating. The city's advisory notes that in California, about one in four engineered stone silicosis cases reported since 2019 needed a lung transplant evaluation. About 5% of those workers died, at a median age of just 52. There's no cure for silicosis, which makes early diagnosis and early legal help all the more important.

What Are the Warning Signs of Silicosis?

Silicosis often starts slowly, and many workers brush off the first symptoms as a cold or a smoker's cough. City health officials have told doctors to watch for these warning signs in anyone with a history of stone or construction work.

• A Cough That Won't Go Away: A persistent cough that lingers for weeks or months can signal lung damage.
• Shortness of Breath: Trouble breathing during work or simple daily tasks is a common early sign.
• Chest Pain: Pain or tightness in the chest can point to scarring in the lungs.
• Unexplained Fatigue: Feeling worn out without a clear reason can come from lungs that aren't working properly.
• Lung Infections: Tuberculosis and similar infections are more common in people with silicosis.

Any countertop worker with these symptoms should give their doctor a full job history and ask about a high-resolution CT scan, since chest X-rays can miss early signs. Occupational health clinics at Mount Sinai Selikoff, Bellevue/NYU, and on Long Island can also help. Once a diagnosis is made, a lawyer can make sure the medical findings support a strong workers' comp claim.

Can Countertop Workers Get Workers' Comp for Silicosis?

Yes. Silicosis counts as an occupational disease under New York workers' comp. That means sick workers can receive medical care and cash benefits to replace part of their lost wages. If a worker dies from the disease, their family may be able to collect death benefits. Medical care can include lung testing, oxygen, and even transplant care.

Many countertop workers move from shop to shop over the years. New York law answers the question of who pays. Under Workers' Compensation Law Section 44-a, the employer where the worker was last exposed to the dust is responsible. That rule keeps employers from pointing fingers at each other.

Insurance companies still fight these claims. They often argue the lung damage came from smoking or a preexisting condition instead of the job. Deadlines also apply. A claim generally must be filed within two years of becoming disabled or learning the disease was work-related, and the employer should be told right away.

Fear of Retaliation or Immigration Trouble Shouldn't Stop a Claim

Fear keeps many countertop workers from speaking up. The city's advisory notes that some workers hide their job history from doctors. They worry about losing their jobs, angering their bosses, or facing immigration trouble. That silence can delay the right diagnosis and cost workers the benefits they've earned.

New York law protects every worker's right to file a workers' comp claim. Immigration status doesn't change that right. City health officials specifically told doctors to stress that all workers have equal rights to benefits and medical care. Employers also aren't allowed to punish workers for filing a claim.

Knowing those rights is one thing. Standing up to an employer and an insurance company while struggling to breathe is another. A lawyer can handle every call, form, and hearing so the worker can focus on treatment. Help is also available in Spanish for workers who are more comfortable in that language.

Workers' Comp vs. a Lawsuit Against the Stone Maker

Workers' comp isn't always the only path to compensation. Companies that make or sell high-silica engineered stone may also be responsible when they fail to warn about its dangers. Those claims follow different rules than workers' comp, and they can cover losses comp doesn't. Here's how the two options compare.

Workers' comp pays benefits no matter who was at fault, but it doesn't pay for pain and suffering. A third-party lawsuit against the stone maker can cover those losses. If that lawsuit recovers money, the comp insurer can generally seek repayment of the benefits it paid, so the two claims need to be handled together. A lawyer can review a worker's history to see whether both kinds of claims make sense.

Immediate Steps to Take After a Silicosis Diagnosis

A silicosis diagnosis is frightening, but quick action can protect both a worker's health and their claim. These steps can make a real difference.

• Get Copies of Medical Records: CT scans, lung tests, and doctors' notes help prove the diagnosis and its cause.
• Write Down Every Job: List each shop and job site, with dates and the kind of stone work done there.
• Save Pay Stubs and Work Records: These documents show where the worker was employed and how long.
• Tell the Employer in Writing: Written notice creates a record and helps meet legal deadlines.
• Avoid Recorded Statements: Anything said to an insurance adjuster can be used to deny or reduce the claim.

These steps help, but they won't stop an insurer from fighting the claim. Silicosis cases often turn on medical proof and job history, and time limits can sneak up fast. A lawyer can gather the right evidence, meet every deadline, and look at other benefits, such as Social Security disability, for workers who can no longer do their jobs.

Experience Is a Powerful Weapon Against Silicosis Claim Denials

Silicosis can take a worker's health, income, and future. Insurance companies know these claims are expensive, and they look for reasons to deny them. Workers and families shouldn't have to face that fight alone while dealing with a life-changing illness. The right legal team can push back from day one.

For more than 90 years, Pasternack Tilker Ziegler Walsh Stanton & Romano LLP has fought for injured and sick workers across New York. Our firm has recovered billions of dollars for thousands of New Yorkers. Our attorneys handle long-term workplace illnesses and practice in every state and federal court in New York.

We take workers' comp cases on a contingency fee, so there's no fee unless we win benefits for you. Our team is available 24/7, se habla español, and we have offices throughout New York City and the state. Contact us today for a free consultation.

"My paralegal Randy Paula has been especially attentive and helpful through this entire process. I don't think I would be having this much success in getting treatments without them." — Jonathan M., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐