A Litigation Primer for the Health Physicist

Abstract

This primer presents a basic overview of legal terminology and theories that may be encountered by the health physicist relative to radiation-related litigation. Legal terms are defined, and the progression of a sample radiation injury claim is explained from the filing of a claim through the appeal process. The objective of the primer is to establish a basic foundation of legal concepts on which to build further understanding. The legal system is an arena with which most health physicists have essentially no familiarity or, at best, limited knowledge. The chances are increasing that health physics professionals may be involved in radiation injury litigation in some way, requiring a basic understanding of these concepts.