RECA and EEOICPA claims are all we do. Call us now: 716.208.3525
RECA Compensation Claims

Were You or a Loved One Harmed by Government Radiation?

The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act pays lump sum awards to people harmed by the government's atomic weapons program. Stephens & Stephens has recovered over $60 million, and RECA claims are the core of our practice.

5.0 23 Google reviews Over a Decade of RECA Claims $60M+ Recovered No Win No Fee
$60,000,000+
Obtained for clients
10+
Years handling RECA claims
5.0
Google review score
No Win No Fee
You pay nothing unless you win

One Federal Program. Three Ways to Qualify.

When the United States built and tested nuclear weapons, it exposed civilians and workers to radiation without their knowledge. Congress created the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to pay the people who were harmed.

There are three main ways to qualify: as a downwinder who lived near the test sites, as a worker in the uranium industry, or as someone who was present at a nuclear test. Each has its own rules and its own evidence.

We handle all three. We know what the Department of Justice needs to see and how to build a claim that gets approved the first time.

How Much Can You Receive?

Downwinders
$100,000
For people who lived in an affected area and later developed a covered illness
Uranium industry workers
$100,000
For miners, millers, and ore transporters
Onsite participants
$100,000
For people present at a nuclear weapons test
Critical Deadline
File before December 31, 2027
Claims cannot be submitted after this date. If you think you may qualify, start now.
Attorney Fee (Initial Claim)
Just 2%
Capped by federal law. Nothing up front, and nothing at all unless you receive compensation.

Which Type of Claim Fits You?

If you are not sure which category you fall into, we will help you work it out at no cost.

Downwinders

You lived in an affected area of Utah, Idaho, New Mexico, Arizona, or Nevada during the testing years and later developed a covered cancer.

Uranium industry workers

You worked as a uranium miner, miller, or ore transporter and later developed a covered lung or kidney disease.

Onsite participants

You took part in or were present at an atmospheric nuclear weapons test and later developed a covered illness.

Not sure if you qualify? Ask us. It is free.

Covered Illnesses

The covered conditions depend on your claim type. Cancers linked to radiation exposure are covered for downwinders and onsite participants. Contact us and we will confirm whether your diagnosis qualifies.

Leukemia (all types except chronic lymphocytic)
Multiple myeloma
Lymphomas other than Hodgkin disease
Lung cancer
Thyroid cancer
Breast cancer
Stomach and colon cancer
Ovarian cancer
Brain, bladder, and kidney cancer
Pancreatic, liver, and esophageal cancer
Salivary gland, gallbladder, and bile duct cancer
Small intestine and pharynx cancer

Not sure if your diagnosis qualifies? Ask us. It is free.

How It Works

We take care of the paperwork, the evidence, and every conversation with the Department of Justice. You focus on your health.

1

Free Claim Evaluation

Call us or send the form. We review your history and your diagnosis to confirm which type of claim fits and whether you qualify.

2

We Build Your Claim

We gather your proof of residence or employment, your medical records, and supporting evidence, then file everything and manage all of the back and forth.

3

You Receive Your Compensation

Once your claim is approved, your payment is issued. Our fee for the initial claim is just 2%, capped by federal law.

What Our Clients Say

5.0from 23 Google reviews

"Stephens and Stephens was very good to work with. They take care of all the paperwork. I would recommend them to anyone needing help with their claim."

Randy Moore

"He and his staff have made everything so easy for me. I highly recommend Stephens and Stephens to anyone who needs help with their RECA claim."

Thomas Clifford

"I have referred several friends to Hugh Stephens and they were more satisfied than expected. A great firm that truly cares about their clients."

James O'Day

R. Hugh Stephens, Esq.
About Your Attorney

R. Hugh Stephens, Esq.

Hugh Stephens has focused on RECA and EEOICPA claims for over a decade. Licensed by the New York State Bar, he and his team have recovered over $60 million for radiation exposure victims and their families across the country. Radiation compensation is not a sideline for the firm. It is what they do.

Workers' Injury Law & Advocacy Group seal recognising R. Hugh Stephens, Esq. as one of the Nation's Top Injured Workers' Attorneys 2025

The RECA Deadline Is December 31, 2027

Whether you were a downwinder, a uranium worker, or an onsite participant, the program closes to new claims after this date. Documentation takes time to gather, so do not wait.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is RECA? +
RECA is the federal Radiation Exposure Compensation Act. It provides lump sum payments to people who were harmed by radiation from the government's nuclear weapons program, including downwinders, uranium industry workers, and onsite test participants.
How do I know which claim type I qualify for? +
It depends on how you were exposed. If you lived near a test site, you may be a downwinder. If you worked in the uranium industry, you may qualify as a worker. If you were present at a test, you may be an onsite participant. Contact us and we will tell you.
What does a RECA attorney cost? +
There is nothing to pay up front. Our fee for an initial claim is 2% of your compensation, a limit set by federal law. You pay nothing unless your claim is approved.
Can survivors file a claim? +
Yes. If the person who was exposed has passed away, eligible family members can file and receive the payment. Priority goes to the surviving spouse, then children, then other relatives.
How long does it take? +
The Department of Justice has up to 12 months to decide a claim. Once it is approved, payment usually follows within a matter of weeks.
What if my claim was already denied? +
A denial can be challenged. We regularly take on claims that were turned down the first time and know how to strengthen the evidence for resubmission.

Free Claim Evaluation

Tell us how you were exposed and what illness you were diagnosed with. We will let you know which claim type fits and whether you qualify, usually within one phone call.

2495 Main Street, Suite 442
Buffalo, New York 14214

By submitting this form you agree to be contacted by phone or email about your claim, including on a cell or home phone. Your information stays private and is never sold.

Call Now Free Evaluation