Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

ESA Press Release: Town Hall Meeting To Be Held On The Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program[06/07/2001]

WASHINGTON - Town hall meetings in more than 25 communities across the country will be held between now and the end of July to explain the new Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act to nuclear weapons industry employees.

The meetings will be hosted by the U.S. Departments of Labor and Energy and will be held in areas near Department of Energy facilities or those of its contractors or subcontractors.

"This is our first opportunity to meet with workers and explain the law in detail," said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. "It's critical that people know how to fill out these forms properly. The Department is anxious to expedite these claims and correctly completed claim forms will enable us to do so."

Passed in October 2000, the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act pays $150,000 lump-sum compensation and related medical expenses to workers who became seriously ill from exposure to radiation, beryllium or silica while working in the nuclear weapons industry for the Department of Energy, including its contractors and subcontractors. Compensation will also be available to some survivors and to uranium employees who are eligible for benefits under Section Five of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act.

The Labor Department has primary responsibility under the law and will administer compensation and medical benefits. The Department of Energy's Office of Worker Advocacy will help workers file state workers' compensation claims and list facilities where workers were exposed.

A list of town hall meetings, dates and locations follows this release.

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.