(Robson, 1929)
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The media and public sentiment sided with the Girls; however, some believed the U.S. Radium Corporation (USRC) was being exploited.
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Marguerite Carlough, with Sarah Maillefer and Hazel Kuser, filed suit against the USRC on February 5, 1925. Unfortunately, all three women died during the legal proceedings. In total, the USRC paid out $13,000 ($174,313 today) for the death of three Radium Girls.
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(The New Jersey “Radium Girls.” From left: Quinta McDonald, Edna Husmman, Albina Larice, Katherine Schaub and Grace Fryer) Source: National Archives. 1928.
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Once Grace Fryer realized that her health issues were due to radium poisoning, it took her and four colleagues almost two years to find a lawyer who was willing to take the case.
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The women are dying. If ever a case called for prompt adjudication, it is the case of five crippled women who are fighting for a few miserable dollars to ease their last days on earth... This is a heartless proceeding. It is unmanly, unjust and cruel. This is a case which calls not for fine-spun litigation but for simple, quick, direct justice.
- Walt Lippmann, Editor of New York World Newspaper
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In 1927, Raymond Berry filed the suit representing the five Girls. After a long battle, they eventually agreed to settle. Each Girl received $15,000 and $600 per year until death. The USRC also paid all medical and legal costs.
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(Raymond Berry). Source: Pit River County. 1929.
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The final lawsuit against the USRC was filed in 1936, when the US New Jersey District Court ruled in favor of the USRC - establishing that it had not fraudulently concealed the dangers of radium dial painting. Many Radium Girls attempted to sue, but most did not receive much, if any, compensation for their immense suffering.
(Living Death' Victim Wins) Source: All That's Interesting. 1938.