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What is Radiation?
About Radiation and Radiation Exposure
Health risks of being exposed to Radiation
Am I at risk of being exposed to Radiation?
Symptoms of Radiation Exposure
What effects could Radiation Exposure have on my health?
Diagnosis and treatment of Radiation Exposure
What tests or medical treatment will I need if I am exposed to Radiation?
Exposure to Radiation can be Prevented
The control of Radiation and the prevention of injury
Personal Injury Claim Advice regarding Radiation Exposure
How to start a Radiation Exposure Compensation Claim
Radiation is energy which travels through space from its source and is capable of penetrating a variety of materials. We may be exposed to two types of radiation: ionising and non-ionising. The term ‘radiation’ is commonly used to refer to ionising radiation alone. Ionising radiation can lead to serious tissue damage as it has sufficient energy to ionise (electrically charge) atoms potentially causing profound changes to the body.
Ionising radiation occurs both naturally and artificially. It can be found in electromagnetic rays (e.g. X-rays) or particles (e.g. alpha and beta particles). It is used in health care settings (for diagnosis and treatment e.g. with x-rays), in research institutions, and in the electrical and nuclear industry.
If you are harmed by an exposure to Radiation, you may be entitled to make a Radiation Exposure Compensation Claim.
Everyone is exposed to small amounts of radiation. Radiation exposure can come from ordinary activities such as travelling on an aeroplane, watching television, using a mobile telephone or sitting out in the sun. This is called background radiation. This term refers to the ionising radiation which comes from both natural and artificial sources. The body is able to respond to these small doses of radiation so they are generally harmless, however, when higher doses of radiation exposure are involved, serious illnesses, diseases or injuries can occur.
Workers in healthcare settings, in nuclear plants and in research institutions may be exposed to radiation in a way which causes illness. This may happen if employees have been allowed to work without being provided with the necessary safety equipment or training required when dealing with radiation. Members of the public have also been exposed to radiation as a result of living or working close to nuclear plants.
If you are harmed by an exposure to Radiation, you may be entitled to make a Radiation Exposure Compensation Claim.
Significant radiation exposure affects living cells in the body causing DNA damage. Some cells may die and some cells may mutate leading to illnesses like cancer. Radiation exposure can lead to radiation sickness or poisoning. Any organ or tissue can be affected.
Chronic (long-term) exposure may not produce serious radiation sickness, but it can cause long term illnesses like cancer. Acute (short but significant) radiation exposure may occur in nuclear accidents, accidental administration of high medicinal doses, or in laboratory accidents.
Symptoms of exposure include flu type symptoms, nausea, loss of appetite and vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness and exhaustion. Further symptoms may follow this including inflammation of the mouth and throat, cough, hair loss, skin darkening, anaemia and haemorrhage. More serious exposures can cause much worse side effects and possibly even death. The symptoms of radiation sickness become more serious (and the chance of survival decreases) as the dosage of radiation increases. Symptoms depend on how much radiation has been received and how the exposure took place (e.g. inhalation, ingestion or by being exposed to beams of radiation).
If you are harmed by an exposure to Radiation, you may be entitled to make a Radiation Exposure Compensation Claim.
Blood tests can be used to help determine how serious the exposure has been as doctors can assess changes to the white blood cells caused by radiation. Doctors will also consider how quickly symptoms have appeared after exposure and the nature of those symptoms.
It is not possible to reverse the effects of radiation on the body but treatment is offered to help with the symptoms of exposure, e.g. painkillers, anti-sickness drugs and antibiotics for infection. Blood transfusions can be used to tackle anaemia.
Treatment may also be offered to counter further damage.
If you are harmed by an exposure to Radiation, you may be entitled to make a Radiation Exposure Compensation Claim.
There are specific regulations concerning the management of radiation. They are enforced by the Health and Safety Executive and detailed in the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 and its Approved Code of Practice. This classifies certain workers at risk of exposure. The Regulations came into force in January 2000 and apply to workplaces where ionising radiation is used or likely to be emitted, including those where people work with natural radiation. They impose obligations on employers to take steps to ensure that exposure does not exceed stated limits and it is kept as low as reasonably practicable. Appropriate engineering controls and design features should be used to limit exposure. Employers should introduce safe systems of work and personal protective equipment should only be relied upon as a last resort.
Further, the Ionising Radiations (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2000 came into force on 13th May 2000 to implement the European Directive 97/43/Euratom (The Medical Exposures Directive). They require all medical exposures to ionising radiation to be justified prior to the exposure being made. Employers must establish diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for medical exposures and undertake appropriate reviews if these are consistently exceeded.
Finally, the principle of justification is an important factor in radiological protection. This means that no practice involving exposures to radiation should be adopted unless it produces sufficient benefit to the exposed individuals or to society to offset the radiation detriment it causes - see the Justification of Practices Involving Ionising Radiation Regulations 2004.
If you or someone you know has been injured or contracted an illness or disease as a direct result of coming into contact with radiation, you may wish to contact a lawyer for advice. In the meantime; however, it is important that you retain any evidence you may have which supports your exposure and ensure that when you visit your GP / Hospital for treatment you mention the cause of your injury to your doctor. Also remember to retain evidence of any injury-related expenses such as receipts for prescriptions or medication and evidence of travelling expenses.
Providing it can be proven that your injury was caused by your exposure to radiation and the person / company who allowed you to come into contact with the dangerous chemical was negligent, then your personal injury compensation claim should be valid.
Thompsons Solicitors are experts in all personal injury matters. We will be able to advise you whether or not you have a valid claim for compensation. Our specialist personal injury lawyers will be happy to talk you through the process of making a claim in plain English and will be happy to answer any questions or queries you may have.
There are strict time limits in place to make any personal injury claim. For further information, contact us or visit our Questions Answered page.
If you do have a valid personal injury compensation claim and you decide to instruct Thompsons Solicitors to deal with the matter for you, we will recover our legal fees from the person responsible for your injury, ensuring that the entire procedure is cost-free for you. Telephone us now on 08000 224 224 or complete one of our online compensation claim forms.