Radiation Exposure at Work in California: What to Know

 Posted on February 21, 2024 in Workplace Injuries

Radiation is a form of energy that can move in waves. There are many sources of radiation, some more harmful than others. The sun produces an enormous amount of radiation which in turn provides the Earth with light and heat. Microwaves often use electromagnetic radiation to safely heat food. X-ray technology uses radiation to produce imagery that is essential in diagnosing and monitoring medical conditions. As the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) likes to say, radiation is a part of our lives.

However, some forms of radiation are harmful and can even cause serious injury or even death. People need to be able to follow safety guidelines to keep themselves safe and healthy in the face of possible radiation exposure. Unfortunately, you may be exposed to harmful radiation at your place of work. Every day, people in various spheres and industries are exposed to radiation. If you believe you have suffered from harmful exposure to radiation at your place of work, a Santa Clara County, CA workers’ compensation attorney can help you understand whether you are entitled to collect benefits as a result.

How Can I Tell if I Was Exposed to Harmful Radiation?

There are two main types of radiation that people are exposed to:

• Ionizing radiation. This tends to be the more harmful of the two, as it can destabilize bodily cells and cause damage to bodily tissue. Exposure to ionizing radiation can be detrimental to your health.
• Non-ionizing radiation. This form of radiation is less powerful and exposure to it is generally safer. Examples of non-ionizing radiation include microwaves, radio waves, and very low frequency (VLF)/extremely low frequency (ELF) radiation.

Symptoms of radiation poisoning do not always appear immediately after exposure, and some of the symptoms - including nausea, dizziness, diarrhea, vomiting, and weakness - are commonly associated with other conditions, so it can sometimes be difficult to identify whether radiation exposure happened.

If you think you may have been exposed to radiation while doing your job, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention. This will serve two purposes, as you will hopefully get treatment for any conditions that arise, and it will also create documented proof of injuries you suffered as a result of radiation exposure at work. This proof can be very helpful in making a workers’ compensation claim to cover costs related to the incident.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Morgan Hill, CA Workers’ Compensation Attorney

If you suspect that you were exposed to harmful radiation, a Gilroy, CA radiation exposure lawyer will review your case with compassion and aggressively advocate on your behalf. Call 408-848-1113 to schedule a free consultation with Cramer + Martinez.