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ESA News Release: [01/27/2003]
Office of Workers' Compensation Programs
Contact Name: Towanda Rhames
Phone Number: 202-693-0297
Release Number:
Help Available to Current and Former Bay Area Nuclear Workers at East Bay Workshops
Current and Former U.S. Department of Energy Workers and Contractors Can File Claims for Medical Assistance for Illnesses Due to Radiation, Silica or Beryllium Exposure at Work
SAN FRANCISCO — A joint U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Traveling Resource Center will return to two locations in the San Francisco Bay Area during the week of March 3. Representatives will be on hand to assist individuals with claims under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA). The Resource Center will return in May at a location and date to be determined.
EEOICPA became effective July 31, 2001 and provides two different types of assistance. The Department of Labor administers the program that provides $150,000 and payment of medical expenses for current and former DOE employees and DOE contractor employees or their qualified survivors who became ill by their exposure to radiation, beryllium or silica. Covered conditions include radiogenic cancers, beryllium diseases and chronic silicosis.
The Department of Energy program helps DOE contractor employees apply for state workers compensation benefits, if it is determined by an independent physicians panel that the worker sustained an illness caused by exposure to a toxic substance at a DOE facility. Benefits for successful claimants vary from state to state, but are generally a portion of lost wages plus reimbursement of medical costs.
The Bay Area is home to several facilities designated by DOE as nuclear weapons producers: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory; University of California; Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; Sandia National Laboratories in Livermore; and Stanford Linear and Accelerator Center.
Additionally, 17 beryllium vendor facilities were recently added to the covered facilities list. These facilities include: City Tool Die Mfg., Santa Clara; C.L. Hann Industries, San Jose; EDM Exotics, Hayward; Electrofusion, Fremont; Hafer Tool, Oakland; Hexcel Products, Berkeley; Jerry Carroll Machining, San Carlos; Pleasanton Tool and Manufacturing, Poltech Precision, Fremont; Robin Materials, Mountain View; Ron Witherspoon, Inc., Campbell; and Tapemation, Scotts Valley.
Workers who need help filling out claim forms can schedule appointments at the Traveling Resource Center by calling, toll-free, (866) 697-0841, or drop in during the hours listed below.
Date/Time:
Monday -Thursday, March 3-6
8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday — Thursday, March 5-6
8:30a.m. — 6:00 p.m.
Locations:
Four Points Hotel by Sheraton
5115 Hopyard Road
Pleasanton, CA
Woodfin Suite Hotel
5800 Shellmound Street
Emeryville, CA
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