If you have been injured on the job, South Carolina law entitles you to workers’ compensation benefits that would cover your medical expenses and replace part of lost income. You can receive workers’ compensation benefits not only for accidents but also when you are injured by exposure to a dangerous substance.
Workers in some industries throughout South Carolina may be exposed to radiation on the job and suffer from illnesses. In these instances, you can file a workers’ compensation claim.
Contact our Greenville workers’ compensation attorneys at Jordan Law Center. We can help with any legal issues related to your occupational exposure to radiation.
Types of Occupational Radiation Exposure
There are several types of radiation exposure on the job, each with varying degrees of danger.
Types of radiation exposure include:
- Irradiation: Part of the body is penetrated by radiation from an external source, such as X-ray.
- External: Radiation can come into contact with the skin and become absorbed into the body.
- Internal: Radiation can also get into the body through the respiratory or gastrointestinal system. The body may incorporate the radiation, and it can attack internal organs.
- Incorporation: The body’s cells, tissues, or organs can take in and incorporate the radiation.
There are two categories of radiation exposure. Ionizing radiation exposure will remove tightly bound electrons from atoms, creating ions. This type of radiation exposure has the power to damage the body’s cells and tissue.
Electromagnetic radiation exposure results from waves that travel through the air; these include radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, and X-rays.
Radiation injuries can be immediate, depending on the level of radiation to which you were exposed. They can also develop over time if you were not initially exposed to a critically dangerous level of radiation.
No matter how much radiation is absorbed into your body, it could have serious long-term consequences. You may be diagnosed with an illness years later because the radiation has remained in your body.
High-Risk Occupations for Exposure to Radiation
You face a risk anytime you are exposed to radiation on the job. Some fields are more dangerous than others, exposing you to large amounts of radiation one time or continuously.
These dangerous professions include:
- Medical professionals who administer scans, such as X-rays
- Construction professionals who work on facilities where radiation may be present
- Waste management professionals who help dispose of radiation
- Nuclear industry workers
- Workers who conduct nuclear tests
Illnesses Caused by Radiation Exposure
There are a number of illnesses that may be caused by exposure to radiation.
They include:
- Acute radiation exposure: Acute radiation exposure results from sudden exposure to large amounts of radiation. This requires immediate treatment. Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS) may result in long-term health issues or even death.
- Cancer: Exposure to radiation increases the risk of certain types of cancer. A cancer patient would need to demonstrate a connection between their illness and exposure to radiation on the job.
- Cataracts: Radiation may damage the lens of the eye, causing it to become cloudy and hazy. Those exposed to radiation could progressively lose sight in one or both eyes.
- Immune system suppression: Your body relies on white blood cells to ward off and fight infections and illnesses. Exposure to radiation can kill these white blood cells, leaving you exposed to various illnesses.
Special Considerations Related to Radiation Exposure at Work
Because some of the injuries above could occur more naturally in the body over time, you could have some difficulty connecting your injury to radiation exposure. The insurance company may argue that your injury is not work-related, and that some conditions may occur in the body naturally.
In those situations, you would need to tie the radiation exposure to a specific job. Your exposure could have occurred many years ago so it would be important to go through your entire work history to determine where you could have been exposed.
You may also be able to file a third-party lawsuit, depending on the source of your radiation exposure. For example, your radiation exposure may have been caused by a defective product and you could sue the manufacturer in a product liability lawsuit.
It is critical to report to your employer as soon as you believe you have suffered a work-related radiation injury. You should then file a claim as soon as you have the evidence your injury is work-related — you will need the money and the medical care.
Where to Begin with a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
You should consider contacting a workers’ compensation attorney as soon as you realize you have suffered a work-related injury. You can discuss your job and medical situation with them, and they can help prepare your claim.
You may also need to hire a workers’ compensation lawyer if your claim for compensation for radiation exposure was denied. The insurance company may contend that your illness or condition was not the result of anything that happened on the job.
You can then hire a workers’ compensation lawyer to fight that denial. An attorney can help you file an appeal to take your case to the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission.
If you qualify for workers’ compensation benefits, you would receive two-thirds of your lost wages, up to a statutory cap under South Carolina law. Reasonable medical costs to treat your injury would also be covered by your benefits.
Contact an Attorney for Workers’ Compensation for Radiation Exposure
If you believe that your illness or medical condition was caused by exposure to radiation on the job, Jordan Law Center can offer a unique litigation experience and relentless representation for your case. We can help you with the preparation of your claim and the negotiation of a workers’ compensation settlement. If your claim has been denied, we will fight for you during the appeals process.
You can schedule a free consultation to speak with a lawyer by calling us at 864-808-1810 or sending us a message online. We are ready to stand up for your legal rights.
