The Significance of Health Physics Testimony in Radiation Injury Litigation

Journal Article · Mon Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1963 · Health Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00004032-196307000-00008· OSTI ID:4644066

Forgotson, Edward

Health physics testimony is an essential item in the handling of a claim involving alleged radiation injury. While radiation is a well-recognized industrial toxic agent, it is confused in the layman's mind with bomb effects. The medical effects of radiation are both latent and non-specific. In many cases, the problem is determining whether the risk of occurrence of a familiar disease was increased by a given radiation exposure. The terminology of health physics creates problems of communication. A defendant should by able, from his records, to determine the maximum credible, and the most probable, radiation dose received by the plaintiff. Proper medical diagnosis should be obtained in every case. Three types of claims----Workmen's Compensation, products liability, and ordinary negligence are discussed. In practice, the burden of proof might actually fall on the defendant because of his superior knowledge and position. Long-term education of the public and courts is most important. (auth)

• Research Organization: Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-17-035267
• OSTI ID: 4644066
• Journal Information: Health Physics, Journal Name: Health Physics Journal Issue: 7 Vol. 9; ISSN 0017-9078
• Publisher: Health Physics Society
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

COMMUNICATIONS
DIAGNOSIS
DISEASES
GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
MEDICINE
PERSONNEL
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION INJURIES
RADIATION PROTECTION