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Radiation Exposure

If radiation exposure has caused you to suffer a disease or personal injury, The Legal Line's specialist personal injury solicitors may be able to assist you in claiming compensation.  You can contact us on 0800 032 8511 or by completing a claim enquiry form.

Illnesses Caused by Radiation

Exposure to Radiation
Making a Radiation Exposure Claim
Compensation for Illnesses Caused by Radiation
Our Specialist Personal Injury Solicitors

Illnesses Caused by Radiation

We are all familiar with the fact that excessive exposure to radiation can cause harm.  Of course, the effects of radiation on a person depend upon its nature and the dose received.  We all receive a small amount of radiation as part of our daily life, however if an incident or prolonged exposure to excessive levels occurs, this can cause serious illness, which could give rise to an injury claim for compensation. 

Such illnesses include cancers, general ill health, fatigue, sterility and damage to the immune system.  Skin burns, hair loss, weakness and gene mutations are also known effects that can be caused by exposure to high levels of radiation. Acute radiation poisoning, i.e exposure to a particularly high dose, can be fatal.

If you believe that you might be entitled to personal injury compensation due to an illness or disease caused by radiation, the most important initial course of action is to seek medical attention.  Be sure to keep a record of your symptoms and any treatments and, if applicable, also retain any evidence to support the exposure.  It is useful to keep details and receipts of any personal expenses that have arisen as the result of your injury or illness as well, as it may be possible to reclaim these at a later date.

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Exposure to Radiation

Exposure could occur in the workplace, for example at nuclear plants, or to others in nearby communities.

Employers at establishments where exposure to radiation is a possibility have a responsibility to monitor the doses of radiation that their employees receive.

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Making a Radiation Exposure Claim

In order to investigate whether a personal injury claim can be made, it is necessary to collect as much detailed information as possible.  In every case, medical evidence will be required.  Detailed expert evidence is often also required in disease cases to show that the condition suffered by a claimant was caused by exposure to a particular substance.

In any personal injury claim it is necessary to show that the person you are making a claim against owed you a duty of care, that they breached that duty of care (were negligent), and that the injury you sustained was a reasonably foreseeable consequence of that negligence.  This can be especially difficult in radiation exposure claims, particularly in those cases arising outside of the workplace.

There is a designated compensation scheme for nuclear workers, set up by BNFL and trade unions representing it's employees.  This is designed to make claims for these individuals easier and quicker.

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Compensation for Illnesses Caused by Radiation

There are two elements to a compensation award.  The first is for the pain and suffering you may have gone through and what is known as loss of amenity.  This is called general damages and can include an award for your inability to do things that you used to be able to do before (eg, wash your car, look after your garden, walk the dog etc).  The award for loss of amenity can be for a short period or for ever if that is what the medical evidence supports.

The second element of a compensation award is for your losses and expenses and is known as special damages.  It is important to keep receipts for any expenditure you have related to your illness, so that these can be reclaimed.  The aim is to put you back in a position financially as if the exposure to radiation had never occurred.

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Our Specialist Personal Injury Solicitors

At The Legal Line, our specialist personal injury lawyers are experienced in all areas of personal injury, including cases for industrial diseases and exposure to pollution or hazardous substances.

They can provide you with expert claim advice, assistance and guidance on your potential case.  This service is offered on a completely cost free, risk free basis to all of our customers, as our solicitors are able to reclaim their costs from the insurance company of the responsible party, following the claim.

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