Consequences of Ignoring Uncertainty – “ Probability of Causation ” in Radiation Cases –
نویسندگان
چکیده
The nuclear research facility in Israel was built in the 1950s amidst great secrecy. Beginning in the 1980s, nuclear research facility workers who contracted cancer began to seek expert medical opinions and take legal action to seek compensation. Because of the secrecy surrounding the work practices and materials used at the research facility, a situation arose in which workers seeking compensation couldn’t discuss their work and exposures with the lawyer representing them. In 1996, a scientific panel was created to review all these cases and determine whether each worker’s disease was the result of his/her exposure to chemicals and radiation at the facility. The scientific panel was the result of a compromise between the State – which sought first and foremost to protect the secrecy surrounding these cases – and the workers – who sought compensation. The scientific panel helped protect the secrecy surrounding the cases by keeping the material out of the court system and media, and by ensuring that only members of the panel – who had security clearance – would handle sensitive material. The scientific panel was essential for balancing security matters with worker health protection.[10] In 2002, the scientific panel submitted its findings to the arbitrator and recommended awarding compensation to six out of 37 workers (16%). The panel relied heavily on probability of causation (POC) estimates as calculated by the nuclear facility.
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