Radiation Exposure
Compensation Claims

If radiation exposure has set you back, we'll help you move forward

Radiation exposure can result from medical treatments, industrial accidents, or accidental exposure to radioactive materials. Acute exposure can lead to radiation burns and sickness, requiring decontamination, medications to support bone marrow and treat infections, and in some cases, stem cell transplants. Long-term follow-up care is crucial to monitor and manage potential latent health effects.

If your life, or the life of a loved one, has been affected by a radiation exposure injury, we can help. You can make a No Win, No Fee compensation claim with the help and support of a specialist solicitor.

You are not alone

In the UK, radioactive and nuclear waste is strictly controlled. Exposure to radioactive waste is rare in everyday life. Individuals with radiation sickness are usually exposed to the radioactive material through their work.

Radiation hazards in the workplace are monitored by the HSE, with the annual exposure limit for nuclear industry workers set at 20mSV (hse.gov.uk).

Radiation exposure can be categorised into two types: high intensity (acute) radiation, and low level (chronic) radiation. Most commonly, radiation sickness results from prolonged low level exposure. Symptoms might not develop for years or even decades after exposure. Symptoms of radiation exposure include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Symptoms associated with failing blood count including infection and bleeding
• Cancer
• Neurological effects

If you have been exposed to radiation which has led to the development of any of the above symptoms, you may be able to claim compensation for hazardous substances exposure.

How much compensation can I claim for radiation exposure?

Compensation for radiation exposure is determined by:

• the severity of your illness,
• how your illness affects your everyday life and work,
• the costs or financial losses you?ve experienced due to your illness.

General damages are awarded for pain, suffering and loss of amenity (PSLA). Awards for general damages are set by the Judicial College (judiciary.uk) and published in their guidelines for personal injury awards.

Special damages are for financial losses and expenses you have incurred because of your accident. In addition to paying compensation for lost earnings, special damages can cover any care costs and medical procedures you need, such as decontamination, medical monitoring and psychological support.

Read more:

A complete list of recoverable losses in a personal injury claim

How is compensation calculated if I have multiple injuries?

Average radiation exposure general damages compensation table

The following radiation exposure payouts refer to the Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases, 17th Edition by the Judicial College (oup.com).

These tables are used by solicitors or by the courts as a starting point when calculating your compensation.

Please note: these average figures represent general damages only, and do not include any element of special damages (e.g. lost wages).

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Can I claim compensation for a psychological injury?

Psychiatric harm is less obvious than physical injury, but the consequences can be just as difficult to deal with.

According to our 2024 Personal Injury Claimant Survey shows that 29.03% of potential claimants sustained a psychological injury, 70.97% of which related to a physical injury.

Exposure to radiation can lead to long-term health anxiety about potential health effects and cancer risks, as well as radiophobia (fear of radiation).

Although psychiatric injuries are less obvious than physical injuries and illness, mental health conditions can be no less debilitating.

Our compensation calculator can estimate your compensation for psychological injuries. Or you can call us on 0800 376 1001 to speak to a specialist advisor.

Do I have a radiation exposure claim?

If you've been injured in an accident that was caused another person or organisation in the last 3 years, you will be entitled to make a claim for financial compensation.

Find out online if you can claim with our injury claim calculator. Alternatively, you can speak to a claims advisor on 0800 376 1001 and find out if you have a claim in minutes.

How long after a radiation exposure do I have to start a claim?

In most cases, you have 3 years from the date of your accident or injury.

If you were injured due to someone else's negligence but didn't realise it at the time, the clock starts ticking from the 'date of knowledge' - the day you become aware of your injury.

How does radiation exposure occur?

Radiation exposure most commonly occurs when working with nuclear or radioactive machinery or materials. This could include:

• X-rays and medical machinery
• Working within the nuclear energy industry
• Working within the nuclear weapons industry
• Nuclear explosions
• Escape of radioactive waste

Employers have a duty of care to keep their employees safe from unnecessary harm. Some roles and some workplaces are inherently dangerous, but employers have a duty to ensure the risks are minimised wherever possible.

If radiation exposure occurs due to defective machinery, insufficient safety training or improper protective equipment, the employer may be found to have been negligent. Compensation claims may be made through the Courts, but there is an alternative option for some employees, known as the Compensation Scheme for Radiation Linked Diseases (CSRLD).

Read more:

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) injury claims

Insufficient training injury claims

Defective machinery injury claims

What is the CSRLD?

The CSRLD (csrld.org.uk) is a scheme that was set up between a number of companies within the nuclear industry and their employees unions in order to settle radiation exposure compensation claims outside of the usual court process. It was established in 1982 with British Nuclear Fuels Ltd (BNFL). Since then a number of other companies have joined the CSRLD scheme, including:

• United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA)
• Urenco (Capenhurst) Ltd
• Maghox Electric
• Nuclear Electric and Scottish Nuclear Ltd (SNC)
• The Ministry Of Defence (MOD)
• Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE)
• Devonport Royal Dockyard Ltd (DRDL)
• Rosyth Royal Dockyard Ltd (RRD)
• Babock Naval Services
• GE Healthcare

The nuclear workers compensation scheme has been in operation for 23 years, and has processed over 1200 claims, awarding a total of £5.3million in claims. The scheme gives access to legal advice and to people who might not otherwise have the means.

The majority of successful claims have been below the 50% causation probability - meaning that in normal court proceedings they would be unlikely to result in a successful compensation claim.

Can I claim through the CSRLD scheme?

In order to make a compensation claim through the scheme, you must:

• Have been employed by one or more of the scheme employers or predecessor companies
• Have experienced occupational radiation exposure with a scheme employer
• Be a member of a scheme trade union (unless employed by the MOD or HM Forces)
• Have been diagnosed with a disease associated with radiation exposure.

What can I claim compensation for?

As with any compensation claim, the factors taken into account will include:

• Pain and suffering caused
• Loss of enjoyment of hobbies, sports and other amenities
• Age
• Income lost due to incapacitation

Radiation exposure claims: employer liability explained

Radiation injuries often lead to a claim against the employer. Click the icon below for more information.

Work accidents Other accidents

Sources

Author:
Howard Willis, Personal injury solicitor

About the author

Howard Willis qualified as a solicitor in 1984 and has specialised in personal injury for over 25 years. He is a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) and is a recognised Law Society Personal Injury Panel expert.