The Alpha Consulting Group focuses on cases involving respirable crystalline silica (RCS) exposure from stone fabrication and installation, with a particular emphasis on engineered quartz (artificial stone). I work primarily with plaintiff firms on:

• Silicosis and other silica-related lung disease cases

• Artificial-stone / quartz product liability cases

• Failure-to-warn and inadequate warning claims involving slab manufacturers and distributors

Earlier is better. I can add the most value when engaged:

• During early case screening and case selection

• When you are drafting or responding to discovery

• As you develop theories regarding manufacturer and distributor fault

• Before designating experts, so your disclosures and themes are aligned with the technical evidence

That said, I am often retained after discovery is underway or even close to expert designation deadlines, and I can still provide focused, time-sensitive assistance.

My opinions typically address:

• Industry practices and customs in stone, quartz, and porcelain fabrication

• The feasibility and reasonableness of engineering controls (wet cutting, ventilation, housekeeping, etc.)

• Adequacy and implementation of safety programs, PPE, training, and supervision

• Compliance with OSHA/Cal-OSHA respirable crystalline silica standards and related regulations

• The adequacy of manufacturer and distributor warnings, SDSs, and technical bulletins

• The role of supply-chain decisions (sales to distributors and unsophisticated dry shops) in creating dangerous conditions

I do not provide medical causation opinions; those are addressed by pulmonology and occupational medicine experts. My focus is on the work environment, product, and conduct that created the exposure.

For an initial evaluation, the following materials are especially helpful:

• Plaintiff’s work history, job titles, and shop names/locations

• Basic medical summary or diagnosis related to silicosis or silica-related disease

• Any available photos or descriptions of the shop(s) where the plaintiff worked

• Purchase records, invoices, or brand information for quartz or stone slabs

• Employer safety policies, training documents, or written exposure control plans (when obtainable)

• Any SDSs, labels, or written warnings received from manufacturers or distributors

If you do not have all of this at the outset, I can help identify targeted discovery requests to obtain what we need.

Yes. When appropriate and feasible, I will:

• Conduct on-site walkthroughs of fabrication and installation operations

• Evaluate the layout, equipment, dust-control systems, and work practices

• Review written programs and compare them to actual shop behavior

• Assess the feasibility of controls and whether reasonable measures were implemented

In some cases, a site inspection of the original shop is not possible due to closure or changes in ownership; in those situations, I rely on documents, testimony, photos, and industry standards to reconstruct conditions.

My practice is focused on plaintiff-side litigation involving silicosis and engineered-stone hazards. This allows me to maintain alignment with injured workers and their counsel, and to avoid conflicts that would arise from regularly working on both sides of these cases.

Over a 25-year career in the stone industry, I:

• Built and operated one of the largest fabrication companies in the country that completed tens of thousands of stone and quartz installations

• Maintained relationships with major slab manufacturers and distributors such as Cambria, Cosentino, Caesarstone, Daltile, Dupont, Viatera, MSI, and more

• Participated in national programs for large retailers such as The Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Costco

• Observed, first-hand, how slab products, marketing materials, and “best practice” narratives were presented to fabricators of all sizes

This experience informs my opinions regarding industry customs, warnings, distribution practices, and the foreseeable use of engineered stone in small or poorly controlled shops.

Yes. In addition to preparing my own testimony, I can:

• Suggest targeted document requests and lines of questioning to expose unsafe practices and failures to warn

• Review and analyze defense expert reports and suggest areas for effective cross-examination

• Assist in creating demonstratives, diagrams, and explanations that make complex fabrication and safety issues understandable to judges and juries

I work on an hourly basis with a retainer. My fee structure typically includes:

• Hourly rates for consulting, document review, meetings, and report preparation

• Separate hourly rates for deposition and trial testimony

• Reasonable travel time and expenses when in-person appearances or inspections are required

Specific rates, retainer amounts, and billing terms are provided in a written engagement letter tailored to your matter and jurisdiction.

Yes. I routinely accept assignments that include deposition and trial testimony. My work is prepared with the expectation that it will be scrutinized by opposing counsel and the court. I aim to provide clear, defensible opinions grounded in real-world industry practice, documentary evidence, and applicable standards.

I am based in California but accept engagements throughout the United States, subject to conflicts and any jurisdiction-specific rules regarding expert witnesses. Many aspects of my work—document review, consulting, report drafting, and strategy discussions—can be handled remotely, with travel reserved for key inspections, depositions, and trials.

You can begin the process by contacting me through this Contact page, or contact me via email at info@thealphaconsultinggroup.com or phone at 213-723-2899.

In your initial message, please include:

• Your firm name

• Case caption (if available)

• Jurisdiction/venue

• A brief description of the plaintiff’s work history and alleged exposures

• Any critical deadlines (expert designation, discovery cutoff, trial date)

I will respond to schedule a confidential introductory call to discuss the case, identify potential conflicts, and determine whether my expertise is a good fit for your needs.

Yes. Many silica cases involve overlapping responsibility among manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, and sometimes large retailers. I can:

• Analyze the role and conduct of each entity

• Evaluate what each party knew or should have known about silica hazards

• Assess whether their warnings, instructions, and controls were adequate

• Help construct a clear narrative of how systemic failures in the supply chain and shop practices led to dangerous exposures