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ESA News Release: [02/24/2005]
Contact Name: Dolline Hatchet
Phone Number: 202-693-4650
Release Number:
05-0301-NAT
The Department of Labor Announces EEOICPA Ombudsman Appointment
WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Labor today announced
the appointment of Donald G. Shalhoub as the first Ombudsman of the compensation
program created by new Part E of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness
Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA).
The Fiscal Year 2005 Defense Authorization Act created a system of federal
payments to be administered by the Department of Labor (DOL). The payments
compensate nuclear workers for occupational illnesses caused by exposure
to toxic substances while working as a contractor or subcontractor employee
at a Department of Energy (DOE) facility. This replaced a previous program
administered by DOE that provided assistance in obtaining state workers compensation
payments.
Under the new legislation, the Office of the Ombudsman, required to be maintained
for a period of three years from enactment of the new legislation, will provide
information to claimants, potential claimants, and other interested parties
on the benefits available under the new legislation and how to obtain those
benefits. Annually, the Ombudsman will issue a report to Congress concerning
complaints, grievances and requests for assistance received that year. Congress
also required that the Secretary of Labor ensure the independence of the
Office of the Ombudsman from the program office that administers the EEOICPA.
Shalhoub, a career government attorney, most recently served as deputy associate
solicitor for civil rights in DOL's Office of the Solicitor. Prior to
that, he served as the deputy associate solicitor in the division that provided
legal services to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Shalhoub
has an L.L.M. from the Georgetown University Law Center, a J.D. from Loyola
University School of Law and an A.B. from St. Peter's College.
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