Worker sues employers over fatal lung disease from years of cutting kitchen countertops

A worker, given only weeks to live after developing lung disease from years of cutting kitchen worktops, is suing his former employers.

Marek Marzec, a father of three diagnosed with silicosis, is outraged by the “lethal” dust created while cutting quartz worktops and its effects on his health.

The 48-year-old is now critically ill, too weak for a potentially life-saving lung transplant, and has described his working conditions as “appalling.” He hopes his legal action will protect others who risk their lives “simply doing their job.”

Law firm Leigh Day is representing Marzec and several other former stoneworkers with silicosis, pushing for “urgent” safety reforms.

Originally from Poland, Marzec has worked with various engineered stone manufacturers in north London and Hertfordshire since 2012.

He was diagnosed with silicosis in April this year, and his condition has since worsened significantly.

Currently, Marzec is receiving treatment at Whittington Hospital in north London under Dr. Jo Feary, a leading occupational lung disease specialist from the Royal Brompton Hospital.

However, his silicosis—caused by prolonged inhalation of crystalline silica dust—has progressed to a critical stage, leaving him with only weeks to live.

A recent study showed that stone workers like Marzec are prone to an acute form of silicosis that causes severe breathing difficulties and disability, often requiring a lung transplant as treatment.

Unfortunately, Marzec is now too ill for the operation and is receiving end-of-life care.

From his hospital bed, Marzec described being in “terrible pain” and struggling to breathe “simply for doing my job.”

“I arrived in the UK hoping to build a better life and wanting to make sure that my young daughters were financially secure,” he said.

“Instead, because of the work I did cutting quartz worktops, I have been left unable to breathe and in terrible pain.

“I cannot tell you how angry I am that I was allowed to work in these conditions and that my life has been cut short simply for doing my job.

“I am not the only person whose life has been put at risk by this lethal dust.

“It is time for urgent action to stop these dangerous working conditions I had to face before other stone workers contract this terrible disease and die.”

Leigh Day’s legal team argues that stricter safety regulations are urgently needed to prevent more silicosis cases from engineered stone cutting, which has already resulted in at least one other worker’s death.