The remote Marshall Islands atoll of Likiep, which was dusted with fallout from nuclear tests in the 1950s, has filed a late suit for compensation, officials said, but chances of a big payout appear remote.
The Likiep suit claims the prosperous economic, employment and educational status enjoyed by the mid-Pacific island's residents "fell precipitously" following the US testing between 1946 and 1958.
It was filed this week after the Nuclear Claims Tribunal - established in 1986 with $US80 million from the US government - set a November 30 deadline for additional class action suits.
The tribunal has already granted awards to both Bikini and Enewetak and is currently reviewing three other claims, however its funding is limited as only $US5 million is left.
Bikini and Enewetak, which were more heavily affected than Likiep, were both awarded $US500 million but received only a fraction of the amount.
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http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200410/s1221589.htm
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