Expansions may give former Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory workers easier access to EEOICPA compensation for illnesses

Who: Former employees of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory who worked at the Livermore, California, site may qualify for a presumption of causation if they are included in a designated Special Exposure Cohort class of employees, and have a diagnosis of 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: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California

Qualifying dates of employment: Jan. 1, 1974 through Dec. 31, 1989. 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:  July 3, 2016

Background: The EEOICPA provides compensation and medical benefits to employees whose work in the nuclear weapons industry made them ill. The act also offers benefits to survivors of qualified workers. To date, 1,869 Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory claimants have received $238 million in EEOICPA compensation and medical benefits. Nationally, the act has provided more than $12.6 billion in EEIOCPA benefits. For additional information about the new SEC, or to schedule an appointment for claim-filing assistance, contact the U.S. Department of Labor’s California Resource Center toll-free at (866) 606-6302.