If you’ve faced the effects of radiation exposure, you already know how severe the damage can be. You may have suffered lifelong health conditions because you were exposed to radiation.
The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) is intended to reduce the financial burden of radiation-related illnesses. But the time limits to file a claim are closing in. If you believe you may be eligible for a RECA claim, here’s what you need to know about your claim before speaking with a RECA attorney.
RECA Statute of Limitations
The United States relies on atomic energy for several resources, including atomic weapons. The testing of these atomic weapons exposed many people to dangerous amounts of radiation, leading to health issues later in life.
One of the first limits you may consider for your RECA claim is whether you were exposed at the specified times. If you were working on or living downwind of a nuclear testing site between 1945 and 1962, you may be eligible for compensation.
If you weren’t, you may be eligible for compensation through other means, like the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA). Your lawyer can provide the details you need to determine what you’re eligible for.
Time to File Is Running Out
But your RECA claim isn’t just limited by this time period. Even if you’re eligible for benefits on those grounds, you may be running out of time. These claims may only be filed until July 10, 2022. If you don’t file in time, that means your claim will be dismissed.
That leaves you and your family paying out of pocket for the expenses and suffering you have experienced because of your illness. Because of this, meeting the deadline is vital.
Your Steps to Filing a RECA Claim
Here’s the good news—your RECA lawyer is here to make filing for your benefits easier. First, your lawyer can review your claim and determine what benefits you’re eligible for. Once they’ve determined whether you’ll need to file under RECA, EEOICPA Part B, or EEOICPA Part E, they can help you complete your paperwork for filing.
Once your claim has been submitted, you’ll need to wait for answers about whether you’ve been approved or denied. If you’ve been approved, you should receive your benefits soon. If you’re denied, your lawyer can help you seek an appeal for the funds you’re due.
Contact a RECA Lawyer Before You’re Out of Time
If you’ve faced severe consequences because of your job, or simply because you were downwind from a nuclear testing facility, you should be due compensation for your suffering. But time is running out because the time to file under RECA is running out.
That’s where the lawyers at Stephens & Stephens can step in. We can help you file your claim quickly to get the funds you’re due for your suffering. Reach out for a free consultation about your eligibility for a claim by calling 716-852-7590 or by completing the online contact form below.