Utah Clinic Radiation Leak: Can Employees Sue for Negligence? Get Injury Lawyer Insights

Imagine going to work every day, believing you’re in a safe environment, only to discover months later that you’ve been exposed to dangerous levels of radiation. This nightmare scenario recently became a reality for employees at a St. George, Utah clinic, raising critical questions about workplace safety, negligence, and the legal rights of those affected. If you’re an employee in Utah, particularly in the healthcare sector, understanding your rights in the event of a radiation leak is crucial.

Recent Utah Clinic Radiation Leak Exposes Negligence

In September 2025, a lawsuit was filed in Utah’s 5th District Court on behalf of employees at the St. George Endocrine and Diabetes Clinic, part of Intermountain Health. The clinic’s employees started experiencing symptoms like headaches, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue months after a neighboring office was converted into a CT scanning center around 2022. Their suspicions of radiation poisoning were confirmed when testing revealed unsafe levels of radiation.

The lawsuit alleges that CRC Construction, B & S Drywall, and Medical Physics Consultants failed to properly install lead-lined walls, which are essential for containing radiation emitted by CT scanners. Shockingly, a post-construction survey gave a passing grade, despite the absence of proper shielding. As a result, approximately 27 people, including three children, were exposed to excessive radiation levels. One individual has even been diagnosed with leukemia.

Can Employees Sue for Negligence?

The short answer is: it’s complicated. In Utah, as in most states, workers’ compensation laws generally prevent employees from suing their employers directly for workplace injuries. However, there may be exceptions, especially when third parties are involved.

Here’s a breakdown of the legal landscape:

Workers’ Compensation: Utah’s workers’ compensation system provides benefits to employees who suffer injuries or illnesses arising out of and in the course of their employment. This includes medical expenses and lost wages. In the case of radiation exposure, workers’ compensation may cover the costs of medical treatment, cancer screenings, and any long-term health issues that develop. To make a workers’ compensation claim it is important to report the injury to the supervisor immediately, no matter how slight. You may lose your rights if the injury is not reported within 180 days of the injury or work-related illness
The “Exclusive Remedy” Rule: Generally, workers’ compensation is the “exclusive remedy” for workplace injuries. This means that employees cannot sue their employers for negligence, even if the employer’s actions caused the injury.
Exceptions to the Rule: There are exceptions to the exclusive remedy rule. For example, if an employer intentionally causes an employee’s injury, the employee may be able to sue the employer directly.
Third-Party Lawsuits: Even if an employee cannot sue their employer, they may be able to sue third parties whose negligence contributed to the injury. In the St. George clinic case, the lawsuit names the construction company, drywall company, and medical physics consultant as defendants, alleging that their negligence in failing to install proper radiation shielding led to the employees’ exposure.

Negligence: The Key to a Successful Lawsuit

To win a negligence lawsuit, the plaintiffs (the employees) must prove that the defendants (the construction company, drywall company, and medical physics consultant) owed them a duty of care, that they breached that duty, and that their breach caused the employees’ injuries.

In this case, the employees would argue that the defendants had a duty to ensure that the CT scanning center was properly shielded to prevent radiation from leaking into neighboring offices. They would argue that the defendants breached that duty by failing to install the lead-lined walls or by failing to properly inspect the facility after construction. Finally, they would argue that this breach caused them to be exposed to dangerous levels of radiation, resulting in various health problems, including, for one individual, leukemia.

What are the Health Risks of Radiation Exposure?

Exposure to high levels of radiation can cause a range of health problems, both short-term and long-term.

Short-term effects of high-dose radiation exposure can include:

Nausea and vomiting
Headaches
Dizziness
Fatigue
Skin burns
Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS), also known as radiation sickness

Long-term effects can include:

Increased risk of cancer, especially leukemia, thyroid cancer, and breast cancer
Cardiovascular disease
Cataracts
Genetic mutations

Even low levels of radiation exposure can increase the risk of cancer over time.

The Importance of Expert Legal Advice

If you believe you have been exposed to radiation in the workplace due to negligence, it is crucial to seek legal advice from an experienced personal injury lawyer. A lawyer can help you understand your rights, investigate the circumstances of your exposure, and determine the best course of action.

Here are some key things a lawyer can do for you:

Investigate the incident: Gather evidence to determine the source and extent of the radiation leak, as well as who was responsible.
Assess your medical condition: Work with medical experts to determine the extent of your injuries and the long-term health risks you face.
Identify all potential defendants: Determine all parties who may be liable for your injuries, including the employer, contractors, and equipment manufacturers.
Negotiate with insurance companies: Deal with insurance companies to try to reach a fair settlement.
File a lawsuit: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, file a lawsuit to protect your rights and seek compensation for your injuries.

Statute of Limitations in Utah

In Utah, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is four years from the date of the injury. However, there are exceptions to this rule. For example, the “discovery rule” may apply if you did not discover your injury until long after the exposure occurred. This rule extends the filing deadline to the date you discovered, or should have discovered, your injury or its cause. It’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible after an incident. Consulting with a legal professional ensures you don’t miss important deadlines that could jeopardize your case.

Given the complexities of radiation exposure cases, it is essential to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to ensure that your claim is filed within the applicable statute of limitations.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

If you have been injured due to radiation exposure, you may be entitled to compensation for a variety of damages, including:

Medical expenses: Past and future medical bills, including the costs of cancer screenings, treatment, and long-term care.
Lost wages: Past and future lost earnings due to your inability to work.
Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical and emotional distress you have experienced as a result of your injuries.
Punitive damages: In some cases, you may be able to recover punitive damages if the defendant’s conduct was particularly egregious.

Utah Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA)

In addition to pursuing a negligence lawsuit, you may also be eligible for compensation under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA). RECA provides compensation to individuals who have been exposed to radiation from nuclear weapons testing and uranium mining.

The RECA program was recently expanded to include all of Utah, Idaho, and New Mexico. Depending on their occupation or medical condition, claimants could receive up to $100,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice. The deadline to file a claim is December 31, 2027.

What to Do If You Suspect Radiation Exposure

If you suspect that you have been exposed to radiation in the workplace, take the following steps:

Report the incident: Notify your supervisor and employer immediately.
Seek medical attention: See a doctor and explain your concerns about radiation exposure.
Document everything: Keep a record of all your symptoms, medical treatments, and communications with your employer and medical professionals.
Contact a lawyer: Consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal options.
Contact the Utah Department of Environmental Quality: You may also want to contact the Utah Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control (DWMRC) to report the incident and request an inspection.

Conclusion

The recent radiation leak at the St. George clinic serves as a stark reminder of the importance of workplace safety and the potential consequences of negligence. If you have been exposed to radiation in the workplace, it is essential to understand your legal rights and take steps to protect your health and financial well-being. Contact a qualified Utah personal injury lawyer today to discuss your case and explore your options for seeking compensation.