The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) program provides compensation for uranium workers who developed certain severe illnesses after exposure to radiation and toxic substances in nuclear weapons production and testing. People who lived downwind of atomic testing sites, especially the Nevada test site, may also be entitled to compensation under RECA.
These downwinders; on-site participants; uranium millers, miners, transporters; and their surviving family members can file a claim through this government program to be awarded compensation for their related illnesses. Read on to learn more about what conditions are covered under RECA and what you could expect to be compensated if you win your RECA claim.
Conditions Covered under RECA
In order to be awarded compensation under RECA, you must have a compensable condition. The type of conditions that will qualify will depend on what type of work you did or whether you were an on-site participant or a downwinder. For example, some compensable conditions for uranium miners could include:
- Lung cancer
- Fibrosis of the lung
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Silicosis
- Pneumoconiosis
Downwinders and on-site participants have their own specific compensable conditions, including:
- Leukemia (but not chronic lymphocytic leukemia)
- Multiple myeloma
- Lymphoma (but not Hodgkin’s disease)
- Ovarian cancer
- Lung cancer
- Brain cancer
- Thyroid cancer
- Male and female breast cancer
- Gallbladder cancer
- Colon cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Esophagus cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Cancer of the small intestine
- Liver cancer (but not if cirrhosis or Hepatitis B is indicated)
Compensation You Could Collect under RECA
The amount of compensation you could be awarded under RECA will depend on the type of worker you or your loved one was.
- Uranium millers, miners, and ore transporters are typically entitled to a one-time lump sum payment of $100,000.
- On-site participants are typically entitled to a one-time lump sum payment of $75,000.
- Eligible downwinders are typically entitled to a one-time lump sum payment of $50,000.
The RECA program is currently set to end in 2022. The deadline to file new RECA claims is currently July 10, 2022. Act now to get started on your claim. The process can take as long as six months—which means you don’t have any time to waste.
Meet with a RECA Attorney Right Away
Did you develop a qualifying condition after being exposed to hazardous substances like uranium during nuclear weapons development and testing? If so, you may be entitled to compensation under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) program.
Contact an experienced RECA lawyer at Stephens & Stephens to get started on filing your RECA claim as soon as possible. Schedule your free, no-obligation consultation when you call our office at 716-852-7590. Or fill out the quick contact form below, and we’ll reach out to you to find out more about your situation.