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ESA News Release: [10/13/2003]
Office of Workers' Compensation Programs
Contact Name: Norma J. Conrad
Phone Number: (816)-426-5481
Release Number: KC-OWCP-01
DOL-DOE Traveling Resource Center Returns to Burlington Area to Serve Current and Former Nuclear Workers
BURLINGTON — A joint U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Traveling Resource Center will be in the Burlington Area during the week of August 25, 2003, to provide information and claims assistance to individuals who may have or plan on filing a claim under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA).
The EEOICPA became effective on July 31, 2001 and provides two different types of assistance. Eligibility and benefits differ for each program. The DOL administers the program that provides lump sum compensation of $150,000 and payment of medical expenses to current and former DOE employees and DOE contractor employees who suffer from specific diseases — radiogenic cancers, beryllium disease and chronic silicosis. Qualified survivors of covered employees, including adult children, are also eligible for benefits.
The DOE 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.
Iowa is home to four facilities designated by DOE as nuclear weapons producers: Ames Laboratory, Bendix Aviation (Pioneer Division), the Iowa Ordnance Plant and Titus Metals. Approximately 1,500 claims have been filed by workers or their survivors from the Iowa facilities and compensation of approximately $3,000,000 has been paid to those claimants thus far. On a nationwide basis, more than 45,000 claims have been filed and $621,000,000 dollars have been compensated since the inception of the EEOICPA in July of 2001.
Workers who need assistance filling out claim forms can schedule appointments at the Traveling Resource Center by calling, toll-free, (866) 540-4977, or drop in during the hours listed below.
Time and Date:
Tuesday - Thursday, August 26-28
8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Location:
The Best Western
3001 Winegard Drive
Burlington, IA
(319)753-2223
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