Expansion may give former New Jersey Westinghouse Electric Corp. nuclear weapons workers easier access to EEOICPA compensation for illnesses

Expansion: Former Westinghouse Electric Corp. workers may qualify for a presumption of causation if they are included in a designated Special Exposure Cohort class of employees, and diagnosed with one of 22 specified cancers. For nuclear weapons workers applying for compensation under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act, a presumption of causation can simplify the process.

Affected employer: Westinghouse Electric Corp., in Bloomfield, New Jersey

Qualifying dates of employment:

Feb. 1, 1958, through May 31, 1958

June 1, 1959, through June 30, 1959

Qualifying employees must have worked at least 250 days total, either solely under this employment, or in combination with workdays within the parameters established for one or more classes of employees included in the SEC.

Effective date: Aug. 27, 2015

EEOICPA: The EEOICPA provides compensation and medical benefits to employees whose work in the nuclear weapons industry made them ill. Survivors of qualified workers may also be entitled to benefits. To date, $2.1 million in EEOICPA compensation and medical benefits has been paid to 23 Westinghouse Electric Corp. claimants, while more than $11.7 billion has been paid nationwide. For additional information about the new SEC or to schedule an appointment for claim-filing assistance, contact the U.S. Department of Labor's New York Resource Center toll-free at 800-941-3943.