ONSITE PARTICIPANTS
The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) covers personnel participation onsite in tests involving atmospheric detonation of a nuclear device.
“Onsite” describes assignments above or within the Pacific Test Sites, the Nevada Test Site, the South Atlantic Test Site, the Trinity Test Site, any specific area inside a naval shipyard, air force base, or other official government installation where ships, aircraft or other equipment utilized in atmospheric nuclear detonations had been decontaminated; or any designated location involved with the purpose of surveying fallout from an atmospheric nuclear test conducted at the Nevada Test Site.
“Atmospheric detonations of nuclear devices” means only those tests conducted by the United States prior to January 1, 1963. A claimant must provide proof of both participation onsite in testing of atmospheric detonation of a nuclear device and a diagnosis of certain compensable diseases.
Congress set forth the following diseases as compensable for Onsite Participants.
[A compensable cancer must be the primary diagnosis to the organ listed and meet the statutory requirements for onset.]
Compensable Diseases for Onsite Participants |
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Lukemia (Not chronic lymphocytic leukemia) |
Multiple Myeloma |
Lymphomas (Other than Hodgkin's disease) |
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Primary cancers of the: |
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Thyroid |
Male or Female Breast |
Esophagus |
Stomach |
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Pharynx |
Small intestine |
Pancreas |
Bile ducts |
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Gall bladder |
Salivary gland |
Urinary bladder |
Brain |
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Colon |
Ovary |
Liver |
Lung |
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[* Primary cancers of the liver are excluded if Cirrhosis or Hepatitis B is indicated in the diagnosis]
For a list of U.S. Nuclear Atmospheric tests please see the Resources page.
If you or a loved one participated onsite in atmospheric nuclear testing prior to January 1, 1963 and was diagnosed with one of the listed compensable diseases, you may be eligible for compensation. For a free claim evaluation, please call our office at (520) 244-3600 or complete the online contact form on this page.
Spouses, children, or grandchildren are considered eligible survivors and can make a claim on behalf of a deceased family member who meets the criteria under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA).