[JURIST] Former US nuclear weapons workers can soon start filing claims for compensation for exposure to radiation [US Labor Department press release] and other industrial toxins while working on cold-war era nuclear weapons. The program details [DOL procedures for filing claims and determining eligibility] were released for living workers on Friday, but the government has already implemented a program for the survivors of deceased workers and has paid more than $53 million for 430 claims. Most of those benefited by the program worked at facilities in Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, New Mexico, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee and Washington. Critics argue that the new compensation plan may not cover all possible ailments and the burden of proving exposure may be too high. AP has more.