California Quarry Worker Sues for Silica-Related Injuries

SAN FRANCISCO - A heavy equipment operator who claims he was exposed to silica while working at California quarries for more than 20 years has sued several defendants, including the owners of the property where his alleged exposure occurred. Dye v. Caterpillar Equipment, Inc., et al., No. 04-436109 (Calif. Super. Ct., San Francisco Cty.).

In a lawsuit filed Nov. 5 in the San Francisco Superior Court, Donald W. Dye alleges that doctors have informed him that his silica-related illnesses are terminal in nature. Dye was diagnosed on May 6, 2003, with silicosis, pulmonary fibrosis and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. According to …