OWCP News Release: [09/12/2013]
Contact Name: Adriano Llosa
Phone Number: (202) 693-4686
Email Address: llosa.adriano.t@dol.gov
Release Number: 13-1872-SAN

US Department of Labor to participate in town hall meetings in Livermore and Emeryville, Calif., on Sept. 17, 2013, to assist nuclear weapons workers

SAN FRANCISCO — The U.S. Department of Labor and other federal agencies will participate in two town hall meetings on Sept. 17 in Livermore and Emeryville to provide current and former nuclear weapons workers—including those who worked at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories–Livermore—with information about the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act.

The EEOICPA was created to assist individuals who became ill as a result of working in the nuclear weapons industry. Survivors may also be eligible for benefits. Staff from the Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation, part of the department’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs, will present an overview of Parts B and E of the EEOICPA.

The meetings are being hosted by the Joint Outreach Task Group, of which DEEOIC is a member. Other representatives from the group will be present to answer questions, including the U.S. Department of Energy and its Former Worker Medical Screening Program; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the ombudsman to NIOSH for the EEOICPA; and the department’s Office of the Ombudsman for the EEOICPA.

On July 31, 2001, the department began administering Part B of the EEOICPA. Part B covers current or former workers who have been diagnosed with cancers, beryllium disease or chronic silicosis, and whose illness was caused by exposure to radiation, beryllium or silica while working directly for the DOE, its contractors or subcontractors, a designated atomic weapons employer or a beryllium vendor. Part E, created by an amendment to the EEOICPA on Oct. 28, 2004, provides federal compensation and medical benefits to DOE contractors and subcontractors who worked at covered facilities and sustained an illness as a result of exposure to toxic substances.

To date, EEOICPA compensation and medical benefits of more than $356 million have been paid to 3,446 claimants living in California; more than $9.7 billion has been paid nationwide. For additional information about the upcoming town hall meetings, or to schedule an appointment for claim-filing assistance, contact the department’s California Resource Center toll-free at 866-606-6302. These events are open to the public, and registration is not required. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

TOWN HALL MEETING LOCATIONS:

DATES AND TIMES:

Robert Livermore Community Center
Cresta Blanca Ballroom
4444 East Ave.
Livermore, Calif. 94550

Tuesday, Sept. 17, 9:30 a.m. PDT

Four Points by Sheraton
1603 Powell St.
Emeryville, Calif. 94608

Tuesday, Sept. 17, 6 p.m. PDT

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