You may have heard of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act or RECA, but you may not know how it can help you. If you have been diagnosed with cancer or another disease, you may be eligible for benefits through RECA. This act provides compensation to those who have been exposed to radiation from nuclear testing and uranium mining. Here's what you need to know.

What is RECA? 

The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act was passed in 1990 to provide compensation to individuals who had been exposed to radiation from nuclear testing and uranium mining while working for or with the U.S. government. This act provides a lump-sum payment to eligible individuals. To be eligible for benefits, you must have been diagnosed with cancer or another specified disease and fit into one of the following populations:

• On-site participants. Government test sites were full of government employees, scientists, military personnel, and 3rd party government contractors who oversaw both the day-to-day operations of the test sites as well as supervised the testing itself.
• Uranium miners or transporters. People needed to excavate uranium from the earth, process it and then transport it to the test sites.
• Downwinders. This term refers to people who happened to live downwind from the test sites and was inadvertently exposed to radiation.

The eligibility criteria for this act are fairly strict, so you should speak with an attorney if you believe you may be eligible for benefits through RECA.

What Are the Effects of Radiation Poisoning?

Radiation poisoning, also known as radiation sickness or acute radiation syndrome, occurs when you are exposed to large amounts of ionizing radiation. This includes:

• Pulmonary fibrosis
• Silicosis
• Pneumoconiosis
• Renal disease

However, cancer is the most common long-term effect of radiation poisoning, particularly the following:

• Leukemia
• Hodkin's lymphoma
• Brain cancer
• Colon cancer
• Breast cancer
• Lung cancer

If you believe you have been exposed to large amounts of radiation and you have developed any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention right away.

The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act provides much-needed financial assistance to those injured by exposure to radiation. If you believe you might be eligible for compensation through RECA, it's important to seek legal advice from an experienced attorney. An attorney will be able to evaluate your situation and help you determine if you qualify for benefits. They will also guide you through the application process and help ensure you receive the benefits you deserve.

To find out more, contact a company like National Cancer Benefits Center