In Re Consolidated US Atmospheric Testing Lit.

In Re Consolidated United States Atmospheric Testing Litigation

Good Law

616 F. Supp. 759

United States District Court, Northern District of CaliforniaSeptember 19, 1985C-84-0022-WWSCalifornia10,498 words

Opinion

Schwarzer, J.

MEMORANDUM OF OPINION AND ORDER

Before the Court are forty-three consolidated actions asserting claims arising out of alleged exposure to nuclear radiation resulting from the bombing of Hiroshima or subsequent atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons. Most of the persons on whose behalf actions are brought were members of the military at the time of their alleged exposure. Others participated in nuclear weapons tests as civilians. Defendants are the United States government and contractors who participated in the nuclear weapons testing program.

The government has moved pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 2212 , to be substituted for the contractors as defendant in these actions, and the contractors have joined in that motion. In addition, the government has moved to dismiss or for summary judgment in all actions based on exceptions to its liability under the Federal Tort Claims Act, (the “FTCA”), 28 U.S.C. § 2680 .

I. Factual Background

The atmospheric nuclear weapons tests giving rise to these actions took place between the closing days of World War II and the adoption of the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty in 1963. Even before these tests, the United States Government had enlisted the…

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Judges

William W Schwarzer

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