St. George, Utah Radiation Lawsuit: Holding Companies Accountable for Radiation Leaks

Imagine living in a community where the air you breathe, the water you drink, and the very ground beneath your feet could be silently harming you. For many residents of St. George, Utah, this isn’t a hypothetical fear, but a somber reality rooted in a history of radiation exposure. From the atomic testing era to more recent incidents involving medical facilities, the specter of radiation looms large, raising critical questions about accountability and justice. In fact, over 60,000 people in the St. George area are reported to have been impacted by fallout. Are holding companies liable for radiation leaks?

A Legacy of Fallout: The Downwinders of St. George

St. George, Utah, is located approximately 140 miles from the Nevada Test Site. From 1951 to 1962, this site was the location of numerous above-ground nuclear weapons tests. Winds routinely carried the fallout of these tests directly through St. George and southern Utah. As a result, the community was exposed to significantly higher levels of radioactivity than the national average. Time Magazine reported that St. George, Utah, has been showered with at least 100 and perhaps 1,000 times more radioactivity than the U.S. average since 1952.

The term “downwinders” refers to individuals who lived in areas affected by nuclear fallout. In St. George, these downwinders experienced a marked increase in cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, thyroid cancer, breast cancer, melanoma, bone cancer, brain tumors, and gastrointestinal tract cancers from the mid-1950s through 1980. The government even made it a point to test the bombs on days with easterly winds so as not to spread the radiation to areas of higher population like California. The health consequences of this exposure have been devastating, leaving a legacy of illness and loss that continues to affect families today.

Recent Radiation Leaks: A New Wave of Concern

While the historical impact of nuclear testing is well-documented, recent events have brought renewed attention to the issue of radiation exposure in St. George. In September 2025, a healthcare clinic filed a lawsuit after a neighboring imaging center allegedly leaked radiation through a shared wall. Employees of the St. George Endocrine and Diabetes Clinic began experiencing symptoms of radiation poisoning after a CT center opened nearby in 2022. Testing later confirmed unsafe levels of radiation exposure, leading to a lawsuit against CRC Construction, B & S Drywall, and Medical Physics Consultants, claiming they failed to properly install lead-lined walls to contain radiation.

According to reports, 27 people, including three children, were exposed to excessive levels of radiation, leading to headaches, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and drowsiness. One individual has since been diagnosed with leukemia. This incident highlights the ongoing risks associated with radiation leaks and raises serious questions about safety protocols and oversight in medical facilities.

Holding Companies Accountable: Legal Avenues for Justice

In the wake of radiation leaks, victims and their families often seek legal recourse to hold responsible parties accountable. One key question that arises is whether holding companies can be held liable for the actions of their subsidiaries or contractors.

Understanding Holding Company Liability

A holding company is a company that owns a controlling interest in other companies, known as subsidiaries. While a holding company is not directly involved in the day-to-day operations of its subsidiaries, it can exert significant influence over their policies and practices.

In cases of radiation leaks, holding companies may be held liable if they:

Directly participated in the negligent actions: If the holding company was directly involved in the design, construction, or operation of the facility that caused the radiation leak, it could be held liable for its own negligence.
Exercised excessive control over the subsidiary: If the holding company exercised such a high degree of control over the subsidiary that the subsidiary was merely an instrumentality of the holding company, the corporate veil may be pierced, and the holding company could be held liable for the subsidiary’s actions.
Failed to ensure adequate safety measures: If the holding company had a duty to ensure that its subsidiaries were operating safely and failed to do so, it could be held liable for negligence.

Legal Options for Victims

Victims of radiation leaks may have several legal options, including:

Personal Injury Lawsuits: Individuals who have suffered physical harm as a result of radiation exposure can file personal injury lawsuits against the responsible parties. These lawsuits can seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Wrongful Death Lawsuits: If a person dies as a result of radiation exposure, their family can file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover damages for their loss.
Property Damage Lawsuits: Radiation leaks can also cause property damage, such as contamination of land or buildings. Property owners can file lawsuits to recover the costs of remediation and other damages.

The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA)

In addition to traditional legal remedies, individuals who have been exposed to radiation from nuclear testing may be eligible for compensation under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA). This federal law provides financial assistance to individuals who have developed certain cancers and other diseases as a result of radiation exposure in designated areas. The act was originally passed by Congress in 1990 and signed into law by President George H. W. Bush.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), Pub. L. No. 119-21, enacted July 4, 2025, reauthorized the filing of claims under RECA. New claims may be filed until December 31, 2027. The OBBBA also expanded eligible populations under RECA. Claim forms for applications under the amended RECA are available here. An online claim filing portal is in development and is projected to be operational by December 2025.

Seeking Justice and Ensuring Accountability

The St. George, Utah, radiation lawsuit highlights the importance of holding companies and other responsible parties accountable for radiation leaks. By pursuing legal action, victims can seek compensation for their injuries and losses, and help prevent future incidents from occurring.

If you or a loved one has been affected by radiation exposure in St. George, Utah, it is important to seek legal advice from an experienced attorney. A qualified attorney can help you understand your legal rights and options, and guide you through the process of filing a lawsuit or pursuing a claim under RECA.

Have you or a loved one been affected by radiation exposure in St. George, Utah? Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your legal options.