US Department of Labor to participate in town hall meetings in Nevada on May 6 and May 7, 2014, to assist nuclear weapons workers

LAS VEGAS — The U.S. Department of Labor and other federal agencies will participate in a town hall meeting on May 6 in Pahrump, and two town hall meetings on May 6 and May 7 in Las Vegas, to provide current and former nuclear weapons workers, including those who worked at the Nevada Test Site, with information about the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act.

The EEOICPA was created to assist individuals who became ill because 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 DOL's Office of the Ombudsman for the EEOICPA.

On July 31, 2001, DOL began administering Part B of the EEOICPA. Part B covers current or former workers who have been diagnosed with cancer, beryllium disease or chronic silicosis, and whose illness was caused by exposure to radiation, beryllium or silica while working directly for 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 employees of DOE contractors and subcontractors who worked at covered facilities and sustained an illness because of exposure to toxic substances.

To date, $330 million in EEOICPA compensation and medical benefits has been paid to 2,959 claimants living in Nevada, while more than $10.3 billion has been paid nationwide. For additional information about the upcoming town hall meetings or to schedule an appointment for claim-filing assistance, contact DOL's Las Vegas resource center toll-free at 866-697-0841. These meetings are open to the public, and registration is not required. The information presented at each meeting will be the same. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

MEETING LOCATION:

Bob Ruud Community Center 150 N. Highway 160 Pahrump, Nev. 89060

DATE & TIMES:

Tuesday, May 6, 9:30 a.m. PDT

MEETING LOCATION:

Laborers Local 872 Training Center 4201 E. Bonanza Road Las Vegas, Nev. 89110

DATES & TIMES:

Tuesday, May 6, 6 p.m. PDT Wednesday, May 7, 9:30 a.m. PDT