The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act ("RECA") was enacted to devise a program that allows partial restitution to individuals who developed serious illnesses after exposure to radiation released during atmospheric nuclear tests conducted by the U.S. between 1945 and 1962 or after employment in the uranium industry. 42 U.S.C. 2210 note. The Radiation Exposure Compensation Program was created to administer these awards and is overseen by the Constitutional and Specialized Tort Litigation Section under the Torts Branch in the Civil Division of the DOJ.
Eligible individuals must file claims in writing with the Radiation Exposure Compensation Program, and an Assistant Director of Constitutional and Specialized Torts shall conduct a review of each claim and issue a decision. This frontline decision may be appealed via a written hearing before an Appeals Officer, designated by the Assistant Attorney General of the Civil Division, and a decision from such hearing constitutes the final agency decision.
Judicial review is available only after a denied claim has been affirmed after review by the Appeals Officer. 28 CFR 79.73(e).