RECA

The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA), passed on October 5, 1990 and broadened in 2000, presents an apology and monetary compensation to individuals who contracted certain cancers and other serious diseases following their exposure to radiation released during the atmospheric nuclear weapons tests, or following their occupational exposure to radiation while employed in the uranium industry during the Cold War arsenal buildup. This unique statute was designed to serve as an expeditious, low-cost alternative to litigation.

Lump Sum Compensation

RECA establishes lump sum compensation awards for individuals who contracted specified diseases in three defined populations:

– $100,000 for Uranium miners, millers, and ore transporters
– $75,000 for Onsite participants at atmospheric nuclear weapons tests
– $50,000 for individuals who lived downwind of the Nevada Test Site (“downwinders”)

RECA Covered Areas

The map below shows all of the covered areas for the Uranium Workers to include Uranium Miners, Millers, and Ore Transporters as well as the geographic area for Downwinders.

Uranium Worker States

RECA Section 5 covers certain uranium industry employment to include Uranium Miners, Millers, and Ore Transporters in the states of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. The dates of coverage are from January 1, 1942, through December 31, 1971. A claimant must establish both uranium industry employment that meets the statutory requirements, and a subsequent diagnosis of a specified compensable disease.

Onsite Participants

RECA covers participation in a test involving the atmospheric detonation of a nuclear device above or within the Pacific Test Sites, the Nevada Test Site, the South Atlantic Test Site, the Trinity Test Site, any designated location within a naval shipyard, air force base, or other official government installation where ships, aircraft or other equipment used in an atmospheric nuclear detonation were decontaminated; or any designated location used for the purpose of monitoring fallout from an atmospheric nuclear test conducted at the Nevada Test Site.

Downwinder Areas

RECA Section 4 covers physical presence* in certain counties located downwind from the Nevada Test Site. In the State of Utah, the counties include Beaver, Garfield, Iron, Kane, Millard, Piute, San Juan, Sevier, Washington, and Wayne; in the State of Nevada, the counties include Eureka, Lander, Lincoln, Nye, White Pine, and that portion of Clark County that consists of townships 13 through 16 at ranges 63 through 71; and in the State of Arizona, the counties include Apache, Coconino, Gila, Navajo, Yavapai, and that part of Arizona that is north of the Grand Canyon.

*A claimant must establish physical presence in the Downwinder area for two years during the period beginning on January 21, 1951, and ending on October 31, 1958, or for the entire period beginning on June 30, 1962, and ending on July 31, 1962, and a subsequent diagnosis of a specified compensable disease.

Claim Forms

Select the form you would like to download from the choices below. Wait for the form to fully download before attempting to print. The files are relatively large, so they may take a few moments to download. Once the form has fully downloaded, it may be printed and filled out. Forms submitted for approval must have an original signature. Contact us for assistance in filing your RECA Claim.

– Onsite Participant Claim Form
– Downwinder Claim Form
– Uranium Mine Employee Claim Form
– Ore Transporter Claim Form
– Uranium Mill Employee Claim Form

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Deadline for Filing RECA Claims

All claims under RECA must be filed by July 9, 2022. In accordance with Section 8(a) of RECA, any claim received after July 9, 2022, will be barred.