Silica citations in Texas
These are the 4 employers in Texas that Labor Department news releases have cited for silica dust since 2021. 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 Texas
- 4
- in proposed penalties, all employers
- $920,937
- largest proposed penalty, Cavco Industries
- $272,479
- the agency that takes workers' comp claims in Texas
- Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation
- to file for workers' comp, once you learn the job caused it
- 1 year
- to let your employer know you're sick
- 30 days
| Employer | City | Work | Date | Proposed penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artco-Bell Corp. | Temple | Manufacturer of other products | October 2024 | $257,183 |
| Cavco Industries Inc. | Austin | Manufacturer of other products | April 2024 | $272,479 |
| Emanuel Enterprises LLC | Houston | Construction company | December 2023 | $175,010 |
| RM Masonry and Stucco Inc. | Denton | Concrete or masonry business | September 2021 | $216,265 |
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 Texas
Workers' comp claims in Texas
The Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation is where you file a workers' comp claim in Texas (official site).
In Texas, private employers aren't required to carry workers' comp. When yours didn't carry coverage (what Texas calls a non-subscriber), you can't make a workers' comp claim, though suing the employer itself usually remains open to you. Non-subscriber explained
Your employer in Texas must be told you're ill within 30 days. The clock starts on the day you knew, or should have known, your work might be to blame. The claim itself must reach the state within a year of the date you learned, or ought to have learned, that your work caused the illness. (Texas Labor Code §409.001 and §409.003)
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.
Manufacturers of other products account for 2 of these 4 Texas employers, while 1 handles concrete or masonry work and 1 is a construction company. Cavco Industries Inc. in Austin drew the largest proposed penalty, $272,479.
Official source: the news release or citation record for each employer, linked on its page. These records get a refresh every month.