Gustavo Reyes Gonzalez has a severe case of silicosis from cutting countertops. He says he used water to suppress the dust and wore high-quality masks, but the fine silica powder still entered his lungs. Credit: Leslie Berestein RojasIn the first case of its type to go to trial in the United States, a Los Angeles County jury handed down a $52.4 million verdict Wednesday against three artificial-stone countertop manufacturers sued by a fabrication worker who developed the lung disease silicosis.Gustavo Reyes Gonzalez, 34, sued 34 manufacturers, claiming their products are inherently dangerous because they contain high amounts of silica, a mineral that, when pulverized, can enter the lungs and cause irreversible scarring. Twenty-nine of the manufacturers settled with Reyes, and two were granted summary judgment. The other three cases went to trial. Reyes is among dozens of workers in Southern California who developed silicosis after cutting and grinding countertops with little or no respiratory protection.Public Health Watch and partners LAist and Univision were the first media outlets to report the existence of the silicosis cluster in December 2022. A year later, the state of California issued an emergency rule requiring employers of fabrication workers to suppress toxic silica dust with water and take other protective measures.The California Department of Public Health has confirmed 172 cases of silicosis among countertop workers statewide. Medical experts believe there will be many more.Wednesday’s verdict against Caesarstone, Cambria and Color Marble was delivered by a Los Angeles County Superior Court jury after four days of deliberations. Reyes’ lawyer, Raphael Metzger, said it sends a strong message to makers of what he called a “horrifically defective product.” Artificial stone, also known as engineered stone, contains upwards of 90% silica, far more than granite and other forms of natural stone.“There are many safer alternatives,” Metzger said. A nationwide ban on engineered stone went into effect in Australia last month.Reyes underwent a double-lung transplant in February 2023. He will need another in seven to 10 years, Metzger said, and is unlikely to live beyond 50.“Hopefully, he’ll have another 16 years of life, but it won’t be a high-quality life,” Metzger said. “He’s not well. He’ll never be whole.”The lead defense counsel — Peter Strotz, representing Caesarstone — did not respond to a request for comment.Silicosis Epidemic: Read the ProjectCredit: Trevor Stamp