|
 Printer-Friendly Version
 |
Quick Links |
 |
|
|
Part E of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program
Act created a system of federal payments to compensate certain nuclear workers
for occupational illnesses caused by exposure to toxic substances. Signed into
law in October 2004, Part E replaced a previous program administered by the
Department of Energy (Part D) that provided assistance to nuclear workers in
obtaining state workers’ compensation payments.
Part E of EEOICPA grants covered DOE contractor employees and qualified
survivors of such employees a federal payment if the employee developed an
occupational illness as a result of exposure to toxic substances at a DOE
facility. The amount of the payment to the covered employee is based on the
level of the employee’s impairment and/or wage loss due to a qualifying
occupational illness. Medical benefits are available to qualifying employees
under Part E for the treatment of accepted occupational illnesses. Part E also
provides monetary and medical benefits to uranium miners, millers, and ore
transporters covered by Section 5 of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act.
Where applicable, survivors of RECA Section 5 employees are also entitled to
monetary payments under Part E.
Part E of EEOICPA also created the Office of the Ombudsman, required to
be maintained for a period of three years from enactment of the new
legislation. Independent from the program office that administers the EEOICPA,
the Ombudsman has four primary responsibilities as designated by Congress:
- to provide information to claimants, potential claimants, and other
interested parties on the benefits available under Part E and the requirements
and procedures applicable to the provision of those benefits
- to make recommendations to the Secretary of Labor regarding the
location of resource centers across the country, which claimants can contact
for assistance in the acceptance and development of Part E claims
- to issue an Annual Report to Congress, no later than February 15th of
each year, detailing the number and type of complaints, grievances and requests
for assistance received by the Office of the Ombudsman that year, and an
assessment of the most common difficulties encountered by claimants and
potential claimants during that year
- to make recommendations for improving the administration of Part E
of EEOICPA
| |
|
