Radiation Exposure at Work in California: What to Know

 Posted on January 31, 2026 in Workplace Injuries

If you are exposed to radiation at work in California, it is important to understand both the health risks and your legal options. Radiation injuries often do not appear right away, which can make them confusing and stressful. Many workers are unsure whether their symptoms are related to their job or whether help is available.

Recent research shows why this issue matters. A large public health study published in 2025 followed more than 10,000 workers who were exposed to radiation on the job. The study found that long-term, low-dose exposure was linked to measurable changes in health, even when workers were not exposed to high radiation levels. This shows that repeated exposure over time can still affect the body and should not be ignored.

If you think you have been exposed to radiation recently or even before 2026, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation. Our Hollister, CA workers' compensation lawyer can explain how California law treats workplace radiation exposure claims and what steps you can take.

What Types of Jobs Commonly Involve Radiation Exposure?

Radiation exposure is not limited to one industry. Many workers are exposed as part of their regular duties, sometimes without realizing it.

Jobs that may involve radiation exposure include:

• Healthcare workers who operate X-ray or other imaging machines

• Dental and veterinary staff

• Laboratory and research workers

• Manufacturing employees using scanning or testing equipment

• Energy or utility workers involved with radiation sources

Even when safety rules are followed, repeated exposure can still occur over time.

How Can Radiation Exposure Affect a Worker’s Health?

Radiation injuries often develop slowly. This is one reason they are hard to detect early. Some workers experience fatigue or ongoing illness before a clear diagnosis is made. Others may develop burns, organ damage, blood disorders, or an increased risk of cancer.

Because these conditions can appear months or years later, workers may not immediately connect them to their job. This delay does not mean the condition is not work-related. It simply means the injury developed over time.

Does California Workers’ Compensation Cover Radiation Exposure?

California workers’ compensation can cover illnesses caused by radiation exposure at work.

Under California Labor Code § 3600, workers may receive benefits for injuries or illnesses that arise out of and occur in the course of employment. Radiation-related conditions can qualify even when there was no single accident, and the exposure happened gradually.

How Does California Law Treat Delayed Radiation Injuries?

Radiation exposure cases often involve delayed symptoms. California law accounts for this.

Under California Labor Code § 5412, the date of injury for an occupational illness is when the worker first knew, or reasonably should have known, that the condition was caused by work. This rule is important because it affects when you must report the injury and file a claim.

Workers should not assume they waited too long just because exposure happened years earlier.

What Benefits May Be Available for Radiation Exposure Claims?

Workers’ compensation benefits for radiation exposure depend on how the condition affects your ability to work and live.

Possible benefits may include:

• Medical treatment related to the condition

• Temporary disability payments if you cannot work

• Permanent disability benefits for lasting impairment

• Reimbursement for travel to medical appointments

Each claim depends on medical evidence linking the condition to workplace exposure.

Why Are Radiation Exposure Claims Often Challenged?

Radiation claims are often disputed because they involve complex medical issues. Employers and insurance companies may argue that symptoms were caused by aging, genetics, or non-work factors.

Clear medical records, exposure history, and expert opinions are often needed to show the connection between work duties and the illness. This makes early documentation very important.

What Should You Do if You Suspect Radiation Exposure at Work?

If you believe your job exposed you to radiation, seek medical care and tell your doctor about your work duties. Be specific about the type of work you do and how long you have been doing it.

You should also report your concerns to your employer and keep records of symptoms, diagnoses, and job duties. Waiting too long can make claims harder, even though delayed symptoms are common.

Schedule a Free Consultation With Our San Benito County, CA Workers’ Compensation Attorneys

Radiation exposure cases require careful handling and experience. At Raul Martinez Injury Law Firm, we have served clients in Gilroy and the surrounding areas for nearly 30 years. Our current team of attorneys brings more than two decades of combined experience in workers’ compensation law and understands the challenges of occupational illness claims.

If you believe radiation exposure at work has affected your health, contact a Hollister, CA workers' compensation lawyer by calling 408-848-1113 to schedule your free consultation.