US Department of Labor’s traveling resource center to visit Simi Valley, Calif., on May 19 to assist nuclear weapons workers

OWCP News Release: [05/13/2010]
Contact Name: Jesse Lawder Michael Volpe
Phone Number: (202) 693-4659 (202) 693-3984
Release Number: 10-0679-NAT

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor’s traveling resource center will make a stop in Simi Valley, Calif., on May 19 to provide information about a new class of former employees at Area IV of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory in Santa Susana, Calif., added to the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act’s Special Exposure Cohort.

Stationary resource centers are based in 11 locations nationwide and provide in-person and telephone-based assistance to serve individuals regardless of where they live. The department’s traveling resource center takes these services on the road to assist workers in the EEOICPA claim filing process.

The EEOICPA provides compensation and medical benefits to employees who became ill as a result of working in the nuclear weapons industry. A worker who is included in a designated Special Exposure Cohort class of employees, and who is diagnosed with one of 22 specified cancers, may receive a presumption of causation under the EEOICPA. The new SEC class of former employees includes all employees of the U.S. Department of Energy, its predecessor agencies, and their contractors and subcontractors who worked in any part of Area IV from Jan. 1, 1959, through Dec. 31, 1964, for at least 250 workdays occurring either solely under this employment or in combination with workdays within other classes of employees in the SEC.

To date, nearly $21.4 million in compensation and medical benefits has been paid to 176 eligible Area IV claimants under the EEOICPA, while more than $5.7 billion has been paid nationwide. For additional information about the upcoming traveling resource center or to schedule an appointment for claim-filing assistance, please contact the department’s California Resource Center toll-free at 866-606-6302. This event is open to the public, and pre-registration is not required.

###