News Release: Former employees of Nuclear Metals Inc. notified by US Labor Department of inclusion in EEOICPA Special Exposure Cohort [09/18/2014]

OWCP News Release: [09/18/2014]
Contact Name: Ann Mangold Jesse Lawder
Phone Number: (202) 693-4679 (202) 693-4659
Email Address: mangold.ann.r@dol.gov lawder.jesse@dol.gov
Release Number: 14-1721-BOS

Former employees of Nuclear Metals Inc. notified by US Labor Department of inclusion in EEOICPA Special Exposure Cohort

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor is notifying all former employees of Nuclear Metals Inc., located in West Concord, Massachusetts, about a new class of employees added to the Special Exposure Cohort of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act. The EEOICPA provides compensation and medical benefits to workers who became ill as a result of working in the nuclear weapons industry. Survivors of qualified workers also may be entitled to benefits.

A worker who is included in a designated SEC class of employees and who is diagnosed with one of 22 specified cancers may receive a presumption of causation under the EEOICPA. On July 11, the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services designated the following class of employees as an addition to the SEC: All Atomic Weapons Employees who worked at the facility owned by Nuclear Metals Inc., or a subsequent owner, in West Concord, Massachusetts, during the period from Jan. 1, 1980, through Dec. 31, 1990, for at least 250 workdays occurring either solely under this employment or in combination with workdays within other classes of employees in the SEC. This designation became effective on Aug. 10. The Labor Department’s role is to adjudicate these claims based on the new SEC class definition as determined and introduced by the Department of Health and Human Services.

To date, $3.9 million in EEOICPA compensation and medical benefits has been paid to 28 Nuclear Metals Inc. claimants, while more than $10.7 billion has been paid nationwide. For additional information about the new Nuclear Metals Inc. SEC or to schedule an appointment for claim-filing assistance, contact the department’s New York resource center toll free at 800-941-3943.

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