Dimona reactor compensates employees with cancer, without admitting guilt
Israel Atomic Energy Commission will pay plaintiffs, who developed cancer after working at Dimona reactor, NIS 78 million; deal reached despite not finding significantly higher cancer rates among reactor workers compared to general population.
170 employees, senior citizens and family members of workers who developed cancer after working at the Dimona reactor will be compensated by the state, in a NIS 78 million settlement deal reached between the plaintiffs and the Israel Atomic Energy Commission (IAEC).
The settlement allows the IAEC to avoid admittance of guilt or negligence on the part of the state, while providing the plaintiffs with compensation, despite the fact that the prosecution did not prove that the cancer rates among those who worked at the reactor are significantly higher than in the general population.
The agreement between the parties was reached via mediation and adopted by the government. The IAEC was the one to offer up the settlement, "due to the IAEC workers' unique contribution to the field of nuclear research and development, and a wish to aid the employees."
The settlement deal will allow IAEC workers at the Dimona reactor who developed cancer and the families of workers who developed cancer to see whether they meet the criteria for compensation without going to court.
"I applaud the reached agreement," Said IAEC Head Ze'ev Snir. "Our employees' safety has always been and always will be our top concern. In preparing this agreement, it was the caring for our devoted workers that guided us."
