Cancer Victims May Be Qualified to Receive Compensation From the Government

If you have been diagnosed with cancer, or lost a4. Grandparent: A grandchild can file on behalf of a
loved one to cancer, are you aware that theredeceased grandparent, but only if there is no living
are funds available from the government tospouse, and no living children of the grandparent.
compensate you? The program, established inAll grandchildren share the compensation equally. A
1990, is called the Radiation ExposureGrandparent may also file on behalf of a
Compensation Program, and provides monetarydeceased grandchild if there is no parent living that
compensation to individuals who contractedis qualified to file a claim.
certain cancers and other serious diseasesOnsite Participants are those persons who
following their exposure to radiation releasedparticipated in above-ground nuclear testing or
during above-ground atmospheric nuclear weaponswho worked at one of the test sites in Nevada,
tests or, following their occupational exposure tothe Pacific, Trinity or South Atlantic. Those
radiation while employed in the uranium industryParticipants are entitled to receive $75,000 if,
during the build-up to the Cold War.after onsite participation, the participant
Downwinders, or those persons who lived incontracted one of the following specified diseases:
certain areas around the test sites, are entitled toleukemia (other than chronic lymphocytic
received $50,000. To qualify as a Downwinder,leukemia), lung cancer, multiple myeloma,
the claimant must have lived or worked in certainlymphomas (other than Hodgkin's disease), and
counties in Utah, Nevada, and Arizona for a periodprimary cancer of the thyroid, male or female
of at least two years during the period beginningbreast, esophagus, stomach, pharynx, small
on January 21, 1951, and ending on October 31,intestine, pancreas, bile ducts, gall bladder, salivary
1958, or, for the period beginning on June 30,gland, urinary bladder, brain, colon, ovary, or liver
1962, and ending on July 31, 1962.(except if cirrhosis or hepatitis B is indicated), or
The counties covered in the State of Utah arelung.
Beaver, Garfield, Iron, Kane, Millard, Piute, SanUranium Workers are entitled to received
Juan, Sevier, Washington, and Wayne; in the$100,000. There are three categories of uranium
State of Nevada, the counties of Eureka, Lander,workers, including miners millers, and ore
Lincoln, Nye, White Pine, and that portion of Clarktransporters.
County that consists of townships 13 through 161. Uranium Miners. Eligible individuals exposed to 40
at ranges 63 through 71 (which does not includeor more working level months of radiation, or
Las Vegas or any of the surrounding suburbs);worked for at least one year in uranium mines
and in the State of Arizona, the counties oflocated in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona,
Apache, Coconino, Gila, Navajo, Yavapai, and thatWyoming, South Dakota, Washington, Utah, Idaho,
part of Arizona that is north of the Grand CanyonNorth Dakota, Oregon, and Texas at any time
in Mohave County.during the period beginning on January 1, 1942,
The Downwinder must have also contracted oneand ending on December 31, 1971. Compensable
of the following specified diseases: leukemia (otherdiseases include primary lung cancer and certain
than chronic lymphocytic leukemia), multiplenonmalignant respiratory diseases.
myeloma, lymphomas (other than Hodgkin's2. Uranium Mill Workers. Eligible individuals employed
disease), and primary cancer of the thyroid, malefor at least one year in uranium mills located in
or female breast, esophagus, stomach, pharynx,Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Wyoming, South
small intestine, pancreas, bile ducts, gall bladder,Dakota, Washington, Utah, Idaho, North Dakota,
salivary gland, urinary bladder, brain, colon, ovary,Oregon, and Texas at any time during the period
or liver (except if cirrhosis or hepatitis B isbeginning on January 1, 1942, and ending on
indicated), or lung.December 31, 1971. Compensable diseases include
A Downwinder can file a claim on his or her ownprimary lung cancer, certain nonmalignant
behalf, or a family member can file on behalf of arespiratory diseases, renal cancer, and other
deceased family member if he or she would havechronic renal disease including nephritis and kidney
qualified of living. There are several categories oftubal tissue injury.
claimants, other than a self-filer:3. Ore Transporters. Eligible individuals employed
1. Spouse: A spouse can file on behalf of afor at least one year transporting uranium ore or
deceased spouse, even if the living spouse hasvanadium-uranium ore from mines or mills located
since remarried. To file on a spouse, you mustin Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Wyoming,
have been married to him or her for at least oneSouth Dakota, Washington, Utah, Idaho, North
year prior to their death.Dakota, Oregon, and Texas at any time during
2. Parent: A child can file on behalf of a deceasedthe period beginning on January 1, 1942, and
parent if the there is no spouse living that wouldending on December 31, 1971. Compensable
otherwise qualify to file a claim. You must sharediseases include primary lung cancer, certain
the compensation with an living sisters or brothersnonmalignant respiratory diseases, renal cancer,
that you may have, including step-siblings whoand other chronic renal disease including nephritis
lived in the same household as the deceasedand kidney tubal tissue injury.
parent.If you or your loved one fall into any of these
3. Child: A parent can file on behalf of a deceasedcategories, please contact Laura Taylor, Attorney
child. If both parents of the child are still living,at Law, to determine how to proceed with filing a
they are entitled to share the compensationclaim. Ms. Taylor can be reached at (928)
equally.776-2457.