Silica citations in California
Since 2024, Cal/OSHA news releases have reported silica dust citations against these 7 California employers. A citation can help show there was silica dust at a job, since that dust causes silicosis, but your own claim still needs you to prove your exposure and your illness.
- employers cited for silica in California
- 7
- in proposed penalties, all employers
- $131,495
- largest proposed penalty, Durango Marble
- $18,785
- the agency that takes workers' comp claims in California
- Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Workers' Compensation
- to file for workers' comp, from when it disabled you and you knew work caused it
- 1 year
- to send your employer notice in writing
- 30 days
| Employer | City | Date | Proposed penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durango Marble | Sun Valley | August 2024 | $18,785 |
| Gasper Marble and Tile | Sun Valley | August 2024 | $18,785 |
| Jose Sandoval Marble and Granite | Sun Valley | August 2024 | $18,785 |
| LB Quality Stone Experts Inc. | Sun Valley | August 2024 | $18,785 |
| M & M Three Marble Inc. | Sun Valley | August 2024 | $18,785 |
| Nacho Brothers Marble Inc. | Sun Valley | August 2024 | $18,785 |
| Valley Marble | Sun Valley | August 2024 | $18,785 |
A citation names the safety rules that inspectors found were broken. A citation isn't a diagnosis, and the fine attached to it goes to the agency rather than to workers.
Two ways to claim in California
Workers' comp claims in California
The Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Workers' Compensation is where you file a workers' comp claim in California (official site).
Written notice to your employer is due within 30 days, and your filing deadline is one year past the injury date. With silicosis, that date is the day the illness first disabled you and you knew your job caused it, or should have. (California Labor Code §5400, §5405 and §5412)
A lawsuit against the manufacturers
A suit aimed at whoever made the stone or the equipment counts as a different claim, with a deadline all its own. How silicosis lawsuits work
Can't tell which company made your stone or your equipment? Labels on slabs or tools, along with pay stubs and job photos, can help a lawyer figure it out.
Free claim review by phone
Even if your employer is missing from this list, you can still bring a claim. Ask the agency, or get a free review.
Every one of the 7 California employers on this list is a stone or countertop shop. The biggest proposed penalty, $18,785, went to Durango Marble of Sun Valley.
Official source: the news release or citation record for each employer, linked on that employer's page. New versions of these records come out every month.