Dozens of sailors in the United States Navy who were called to action after the nuclear meltdown in Japan in 2010 are suing the Japanese electric company.

The 51 sailors, including 24-year-old Lindsay Cooper say they are seriously ill. They claim in the suit their health issues are a direct result of radiation poisoning from the power plant.

A judge dismissed the suit earlier this year on procedural grounds but is giving the plaintiffs a few more weeks to tweak it for reconsideration.

"My biggest fear is now knowing what's going to happen. Not being able to take care of myself or my daughter," said Cooper.

"This was an accident waiting to happen, if a nuclear reactor cannot withstand an earthquake and it is in a given location, it's operated by the Tepco people, they are responsible," said Attorney Paul Garner.

The suit claims the Japanese power company created the impression that the extent of the radiation that had leaked from the site would not pose a threat to the plaintiffs.