A jury on August 19, 2026, awarded $7.1 million to the family of Gerardo Ramirez-Soriano in a case against Dal-Tile Distribution, LLC, Dal-Tile Tennessee, LLC and Paragon Industries, Inc., dba Bedrosians Tile & Stone. Ramirez-Soriano, an artificial stone countertop fabrication worker, developed artificial stone silicosis (lung disease from silica exposure) and died at age 46. The award included $2.4 million in economic damages and $4.7 million in non-economic damages. The jury found the artificial stone slabs, made with at least 90% crystalline silica, to be defective and rejected defenses blaming the employer, the worker or other parties. Dal-Tile Distribution and Dal-Tile Tennessee were each found 2% at fault, while Paragon was found 1% at fault; other manufacturers and suppliers were assigned 62% of the fault, and many settled before the verdict. Brayton Purcell LLP said the case highlighted accountability for manufacturers and suppliers that continued distributing high-silica products while introducing lower- or non-silica alternatives.