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OPA News Release: [07/31/2002]
Contact Name: Quinta
Buker
Phone Number: (202) 693-0399
$293 Million in Compensation Paid Out on First Anniversary
of
Implementation of Nuclear Weapon Workers Program
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On
the first anniversary of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation
Program Act, $293 million in compensation payments have been paid out to
current and former nuclear weapon workers, or their survivors.
“I am proud of the work the Department of Labor has done to help
these men and women who were harmed as a result of their hard work and loyal
service to their country,” said Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao.
“These workers and their families have paid a terrible price for their
role in preserving our freedom. The Department of Labor is helping our country
repay these individuals for all their sacrifices."
The Act was implemented on July 31, 2001. It provides for compensation
of $150,000 and payment of medical expenses to employees who worked for the
Department of Energy and its contractors and subcontractors in the development,
testing and production of nuclear weapons. Radiogenic cancers, beryllium
diseases and chronic silicosis are covered under this program. Qualified
survivors of covered employees, including adult children, are also eligible for
compensation.
The Departments of Labor, Energy, Health and Human Services, and
Justice were tasked with administering this very complex program. The agencies
have been working cooperatively to deliver benefits. As the lead agency, DOL
published Interim Final Regulations, developed user-friendly forms to assist
claimants, created a Web site and a toll-free Call Center to answer routine
program questions and process requests for forms and informational
brochures.
In addition, the Departments of Labor and Energy conducted sixty-one
public town hall meetings to educate prospective claimants and established
Resource Centers in ten locations to assist claimants in filing claims. By the
date mandated by Congress for program implementation, July 31, 2001, DOL had
set up four district offices, each operational for processing claims. Just nine
days after the implementation of the program, the first compensation payment of
$150,000 was made.
Thanks to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
having completed its final rules governing the handling of most radiogenic
cancer claims, DOL has now made payments in all categories of claims covered
under the Act.
In its first year, DOL has received 31,822 claims associated with 25,781
workers, and rendered 6,285 final decisions associated with 5,001 workers. In
addition, DOL has referred 6,405 cases to NIOSH for dose reconstruction and has
issued 9,741 recommended (initial) decisions associated with 7,810 workers.
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