Nuclear Fuel Processing Plants Pay for Personal Injury Lawsuits

The nuclear fuel processing company, Babcock and Wilcox recently paid out $52.5 million for plaintiffs who claimed that the radioactive emissions from the plant resulted in personal injuries, wrongful death and property damage. This occurrence is rare, as most cases such as this never make it to the courtroom. Generally, it is common practice for such a large lawsuit to be settled outside of the courtroom. Also, because most plants are contracted by the federal government, they do not use taxpayers’ dollars to take the taxpayers to court.

This particular lawsuit took over 14 years to consider. Babcock and Wilcox, Nuclear Materials and Equipment Corp and Atlantic Richfield Co. all operated in Kiski Valley, Pennsylvania. From 1957 to 1986, they created nuclear fuel and other products that were used to create nuclear power plants and weapons. Because it was found that the radioactive materials were highly potent carcinogens and hundreds of people in the area died or took ill, the collective cost of the lawsuit- for all three companies, was $80 million. This money went to families that had lost loved ones, to cover medical expenses and to recover damaged property. Over 365 plaintiffs were paid over the course of 14 years.