The United States Justice Department has sued the state of Washington, alleging that the law the State Legislature approved that makes it easier for Hanford workers to receive compensation, discriminates against the federal government and its Energy Department contractors and puts requirements on the federal agency.

The Hanford site in Washington was used to manufacture plutonium for atomic weapons and is now the site of a massive cleanup effort.

The DOJ is asking a federal judge to declare the law invalid. Prior to this law, workers had the burden of proof to show that their exposure at Hanford caused their illness or injury. A lot of workers had their claims rejected. The new law presumes a wide scope of diseases, including respiratory diseases and certain cancers, were caused by working at the Hanford site unless there is clear and convincing evidence to prove otherwise.

The Washington Self-Insurers Association and the Association of Washington Business also opposed this piece of legislation, saying it was “breathtaking in its scope and inclusivity”. The Department of Energy, who is a self-insured employer who pays out claims, says that it exposes them to a level of workers’ compensation liability that other employers in the state are not exposed to, and will have to bear the costs. The Washington Department of Labor & Industries makes decisions on cases from Hanford workers.

Supporters say that workers have finally gotten justice after their health was damaged due to exposure. Damage may not show up for years after exposure, and the law puts no time limit on how long a worker has to file a claim after working at the site.

As of November, 83 claims were reviewed under the new legislation and while 49 are still pending, 28 were allowed and six were denied.

Read more here and here.