Downwinders may qualify for $100,000 in federal compensation

Local attorney Tom Thompson has worked on RECA cases for three decades

Attorney Tom Thompson and JoNell Brantley have successfully filed thousands of downwinder claims for local residents, helping them to compile the documentation needed prove eligibility.

Linda Gross

Posted Thursday, October 30, 2025 2:42 pm

The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) defines Downwinders as those who developed specific cancers after presumed exposure to fallout from nuclear testing. With the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on July 4, 2025, the filing period for RECA claims has been reauthorized.

UPDATE: For many who have asked, if you already received compensation of $50,000 from the program, you are not eligible to receive another $50,000.

Aimee Staten

Residents who lived in Gila County for one year between Jan. 21, 1951, and Nov. 6, 1962, or from June 30, 1962, to July 31, 1962, and developed certain cancers may be eligible for a $100,000 lump-sum payment from the federal government. These individuals, known as “Downwinders,” were exposed to radiation released during atmospheric nuclear tests conducted in the United States.

Even if the qualifying individual passed away, surviving family members may apply to receive equal shares of the payment.

Eligible Diagnoses

To qualify, applicants must show they were diagnosed with one of the following diseases:

Leukemia (excluding chronic lymphocytic leukemia)
Multiple myeloma
Lymphomas (excluding Hodgkin’s disease)
Primary cancers of the thyroid, breast (male or female), esophagus, stomach, pharynx, small intestine, pancreas, bile ducts, gall bladder, salivary gland, urinary bladder, brain, colon, ovary, liver (except if cirrhosis or Hepatitis B is indicated), or lung

Local Legal Support

Globe attorney Tom Thompson, who has worked on RECA cases for more than three decades, believes many Gila County residents — including those on the San Carlos Reservation — may be eligible.

“There are many variations in cases, but a phone call usually makes it clear whether someone qualifies,” said Jo Nell Brantley, Thompson’s assistant. “We’re happy to answer any questions for free.”

Thompson’s office can be reached at 928-425-8111.

Brantley also urged residents to use only official government sources when researching RECA. “We’ve been seeing a lot of misinformation,” she said. “The safest place to find accurate details is the U.S. Department of Justice website.”

Other RECA counties in Arizona include Coconino, Yavapai, Navajo, Apache and Mohave.

Background on RECA

The original RECA program, signed into law in 1990 by President George H.W. Bush and expanded in 2000, provided $50,000 per qualifying Downwinder. That version of the law expired in June 2024, after distributing $2.6 billion to more than 41,000 claimants. Attorney fees are capped at two percent of the award.

At this time, there is no additional payment for individuals who previously received the $50,000 compensation, though that could change with future congressional action.

In addition to Downwinders, compensation may also be available to uranium workers and individuals present at atmospheric nuclear detonations. Each category has its own eligibility requirements.

For more details, visit the U.S. Department of Justice’s official RECA page: www.justice.gov/civil/reca