Silicosis Lawsuit: Eligibility, Compensation and How To File

As of August 2026, hundreds of workers exposed to silica dust from engineered stone have filed lawsuits against manufacturers like Caesarstone and Cambria. Plaintiffs have won two verdicts, and there haven’t been any global settlements.

So far, no multidistrict litigation (MDL) or class action has been established for these cases. They continue to be filed as individual claims in state courts.

Silicosis lawsuits claim that engineered stone manufacturers failed to warn workers about the risk of developing silicosis and related lung diseases. Engineered stone contains about 90% silica, compared to 30%-50% in granite and under 10% in marble.

When it’s cut, crushed, polished or processed, harmful silica dust is released into the air. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), airborne silica dust particles are 100 times smaller than a grain of sand. They are easier to inhale and can cause lung damage.

Lawsuits also claim that employers may fail to comply with OSHA regulations or provide safety measures. Some experts are concerned that protective gear, ventilation and wet cutting might not be enough to prevent exposure to unsafe levels of silica.

Is There a Silicosis Class Action or MDL?

As of August 2026, there is no silicosis class action or MDL. If case numbers continue to rise, lawyers may file a motion to create an MDL. This consolidates the cases before a single judge in federal court.

If you worked with engineered stone and were diagnosed with silicosis, you may qualify to file a lawsuit. Lawyers are taking cases for people who worked in specific industries and were diagnosed with silicosis or a related lung disease.

If you’re unsure if you qualify, you can contact a lawyer. They’ll help determine if you have a case.

There hasn’t been a global silicosis settlement, so it’s impossible to know what payout amounts could be. However, three recent plaintiff verdicts may influence future settlements. The first was a $52.4 million verdict in California, and the second was a $17 million verdict in Colorado. A third trial in August 2026 ended with a $48 million verdict in California.

In 2025, another stone fabricator who worked in California received a roughly $26 million settlement from Caesarstone, Cambria and other companies. The 51-year-old man had worked for 22 years at stone fabrication shops, then developed accelerated, complicated silicosis with progressive massive fibrosis (PMF).

Additionally, one law firm in California reported it has secured about $200 million in verdicts and settlements.

While there’s no exact settlement range, several factors can affect compensation amounts. These include the severity of the disease, a person’s exposure history and who is identified as liable.

You can file a silicosis lawsuit with a few important steps. These help demonstrate how you were exposed and who may be responsible.

There’s a time limit to file your claim, so the sooner you start the process, the better. Taking these steps early can protect your rights and strengthen your case. A free case review through Drugwatch can help determine if your situation qualifies for a lawsuit.

California is currently the epicenter of silicosis lawsuits, but cases are emerging in other states, including Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Kentucky, Florida and Colorado. It’s difficult to determine the total number of cases because many state courts don’t make their records easy to access.

In May 2026, Caesarstone disclosed that it faces more than 500 claims in the U.S., but didn’t specify which states they are from.