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EEOICPA & RECA Attorneys

Stephens & Stephens has obtained over $60 million through the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act and the Energy Employees Occupation Illness Compensation Act for our clients

Gloria ReynoldsGloria Reynolds
04:16 30 Mar 24
Stephens & Stephens was very helpful in getting my claim processed and helping me in getting my settlement, staff was knowledgeable and professional and very kind if I call and needed to ask a question they would call me back within a timely manner. Thank you so much for your help .Continue to be blessed Gloria
Dee GodfreyDee Godfrey
18:49 12 Mar 24
I was astounded with the service I received from Mr. Hugh Stephens in regard to my husband's compensation claim. He was not only efficient, but also compassionate, and communicated clearly and frequently. Because of his outstanding efforts and expertise, I, who am now a grieving widow, am unexpectedly stabile and secure. I had little to do. He did all the heavy lifting. I'm so very grateful for his help. I'll always remember not only his professionalism, but also his kindness.
Audrey OgletreeAudrey Ogletree
22:19 09 Mar 24
From: Laurence OgletreeI received good assistance from Stephens & Stephens in submitting the recent claim for increased impairment benefits from the Energy Workers program.
Randy MooreRandy Moore
14:48 07 Mar 24
I was a machinist at Honeywell F.M.&T.and developed bilateral tinnitus and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. They helped me file a claim with EEOICPA in 2017. Stephen’s & Stephen’s was very good to work with, they take care of all the paperwork and help with any paperwork I receive from the Department of Labor. They stay on top of things helping with scheduling impairment reviews etc.I feel that without their help this would have been a very overwhelming process.I plan on still using them if any other illnesses occur due to my employment with Honeywell.
Mike DauzatMike Dauzat
15:54 02 Mar 24
I highly recommend Stevens and Stevens. Hugh Stevens and his staff are very professional and very friendly. They're extremely good at making sure you get the full amount of money you deserve. If you need a DOL lawyer, I highly recommend this team. I can't be more happy that I picked Stevens and Stevens.
Mary YbarraMary Ybarra
01:33 27 Feb 24
Stephen’s and Stephen’s has kept fight for my dad. Now they are fight for my mom. They are on top of things and I would recommend them to anyone who needs help and guidance with the Uranium mines.
Dianne HarperDianne Harper
01:02 17 Feb 24
Robert and I are very pleased with Mr. Hugh Stephens and all that he has done for us. From the first moment we spoke, we sensed that though Mr. Stephens exhibits sharp business acumen, he cares deeply about his clients and he has a huge heart.
Diane pontonDiane ponton
17:38 07 Feb 24
I tried to get others to help me with this claim, and it wasn"t until I hired Mr. Stephens that things started happening. I would recommend any one to get in touch with him . I would go to him again, if i ever needed to.
Judy LeonardJudy Leonard
22:26 06 Feb 24
I very much appreciate the successful litigation concerning my husband's Hanford work related illness. Stephens & Stephens LLP were thorough, caring, considerate, and fair during this difficult time.
Kenneth GKenneth G
18:23 03 Feb 24
Mr. Stephens was able to simplify an otherwise complicated lengthy process (DEEOIC) to file an initial claim as well as a claim for impairment benefits.
dave DONAIDdave DONAID
18:08 03 Feb 24
Frankie KnucFrankie Knuc
19:24 08 Jan 24
I had other attorneys hired in Cortez, Colorado and Grand Jct., Colorado to assist me with receiving my uranium claim, but they were not successful. I was advised by an employee of CNS of Stephens & Stephens, LLP good work. I contacted them & they took my case It was settled very quickly. I have been very pleased with this group & would advise others of their prompt service. I would recommend them to others. Respectfully, Frankie Knuckles
Rebecca ConsolRebecca Consol
19:57 22 Dec 23
My family used Stephen’s and Stephen’s for a settlement case. We were extremely pleased with all they did. They were very professional, easy to get a hold of, and invaluable when it came to answering questions and handling complicated Department of Labor issues and forms. They also did everything in a very timely manner. I have already recommended them to other people.
Thomas CliffordThomas Clifford
15:29 21 Dec 23
I have been represented by Hugh Stevens for several years now, He and his staff has made everything so easy for me. I had lung cancer from working in the uranium processing industry, they have opened so many doors for me and made dealing with DOL so much easier. They always answer my questions in a very timely manner. I have referred several other people to him and he has been able to get them through this process also. There are benefits that I was not aware of that he has brought to my attention and been able to lead me through the process of obtaining them. I would most highly recommend him to lead anyone through this process.
Lonnie killingHawkLonnie killingHawk
02:35 14 Dec 23
When I first contacted Stephens & Stephens I was at the end of my rope with DOL. Hough and his staff got me on track and handled everything with DOL and just made this process so easy. Do not know where I'd be with out them. They are able to communicate at a layman's level and understand the client. Would strongly recommend this firm.
Ruthy LyonRuthy Lyon
21:00 28 Sep 23
Our initial conversation with Mr. Stephens was productive & reassuring. His previous experience with similar cases was obvious and very helpful, in both asking us specific questions for clarification & also addressing our own questions. Breanna is also a great asset to their team.
James O'DayJames O'Day
15:07 13 Sep 23
I have referred several friends to Hugh Stephens and they were more satisfied than they ever expected. I would refer him with confidence to anyone in need. I trust when he speaks for me, for example, in court. He is a good communicator and a deep thinker. He is well respected in his profession. He handles environmental law, injury law, and medical malpractice. He is tactful and direct and knows what he is doing. He knows the legal briar patches well.
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EEOICPA Covered Facilities: Nevada Test Site

The Nevada Test Site (NTS) was established in 1951 with the overall mission to conduct field tests of nuclear devices and also for low-level waste disposal. Due to the risks associated with exposure to nuclear materials and the chemicals associated with nuclear devices, many former employees, scientists, and contractors who worked at the Nevada Test Site are now eligible to receive compensation if they have been diagnosed with certain forms of cancer.

Some of our clients who worked and those currently working at the Nevada Test Site have successfully filed claims for various illnesses under the EEOICPA, Some of these illnesses include Chronic silicosis, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asbestosis, pulmonary fibrosis, Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), pleural thickening, pleural plaques, pulmonary hypertension, and cardiomegaly. Some clients with certain cancers, including adenocarcinoma, thyroid cancer, and kidney cancer have also been compensated.

Here, we have compiled publicly available information and documentation about the facilities covered by the Act to clarify how their activities relate to the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act.

Nevada Test Site

Also Known As: Nevada National Security Site
State: Nevada
Location: Mercury
Time Period: 1951-present
Facility Type: Department of Energy

Facility Description: The Nevada Test Site was established in 1951. The mission of the Test Site is to conduct field tests of nuclear devices in connection with the research and development of nuclear weapons. The Nevada Test Site, slightly larger than the State of Rhode Island, has been the primary location for testing nuclear explosive devices since Operation Ranger was first conducted in 1951. In addition, the site is used for low-level waste disposal. Currently, the site is allowing other types of testing at the site, conducting remediation, and is in a standby mode so that if nuclear weapons testing ever is needed again, it could be conducted at the Nevada Test Site.

Throughout the course of its operations, the potential for beryllium exposure existed at this site, due to beryllium use, residual contamination, and decontamination activities.

CONTRACTORS: : National Security Technologies, LLC (NSTec) (July2006-present); Bechtel Nevada (January 1996-June 2006); Reynolds Electrical & Engineering Company (1952-1995). Navarro-Intera, LLC, environmental contractor, (January 2009-present). Wackenhut Service, Inc., provides security related-work, (June 2006-present).

Holmes and Narver was an architectural and engineering contractor at the Nevada Test Site from late 1951 until November 1990. Holmes and Narver’s role at the Nevada Test Site was to design and supervise construction of facilities that included towers, bunkers, instrument stations, tunnel complexes, and other test-support facilities. In November 1990, this function was assumed by a new contractor, Raytheon Services, Nevada.

Listing:
Nevada Test Site is listed as a Department of Energy (DOE) site under the EEOICPA.

Special Exposure Cohort (SEC) Classes:
Department of Energy (DOE) employees or DOE contractor or subcontractor employees who worked at the Nevada Test Site from January 27, 1951 through December 31, 1962 for a number of work days aggregating at least 250 work days, either solely under this employment or in combination with work days within the parameters (excluding aggregate work day requirements) established for other classes of employees included in the SEC, and who were monitored or should have been monitored.

All employees of the Department of Energy, its predecessor agencies, and its contractors and subcontractors who worked at the Nevada Test Site, from January 1, 1963 through December 31, 1992, for a number of work days aggregating at least 250 work days, occurring either solely under this employment or in combination with work days within the parameters established for one or more other classes of employees in the SEC

Compensation:
As of 01/08/2023, the total compensation paid under Parts B and E of the EEOICPA, including medical compensation, for workers suffering from the effects of having worked at the Nevada Test Site is $2,090,773,441. Click here for a current accounting of compensation paid to former Nevada Test Site Workers under the EEOICPA.

Nevada Test Site Workers:
If you or your parent worked at this or any other DOE or AWE facility and became ill, you may be entitled to compensation of up to $400K plus medical benefits from the US Department of Labor. Call EEOICPA Counsel Hugh Stephens at 1-855-EEOICPA (336-4272) or fill out the form to the right, whether or not you have already filed a claim and even if your claim has been accepted or denied.

We can help with all OWCP (Federal Workers Compensation) claims, impairments, wage loss and health care. 2495 Main Street, Suite 442 Buffalo, NY.

Videos:

Color HD footage of atomic bomb tests in Nevada:

Published on Jun 11, 2015
High Definition Color footage of atomic bomb tests with active duty military personnel at Camp Desert Rock, Nevada Test Site, Nevada, showing soldiers in foxholes as the nuclear detonation occurs nearby. The soldiers, naturally, were exposed to the nuclear light, shockwaves, and blowing radioactive dust. Soldiers are also seen climbing out of foxholes and running towards the mushroom cloud, causing many soldiers who were present to be exposed to even higher levels of radiation.

DISCLAIMER: This video is part of the Prelinger Archives with the Creative Commons Public Domain Mark 1.0 license. This video is in the Public Domain.

The Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) produced a film in the 1950’s that justifies the Nevada Test Site thus:

“MISSION FALLOUT,” a movie about Operation Plumbbob made in 1957, illustrates the study of radioactive fallout from nuclear explosions at the NTS, including an explanation of the inner workings of dosimeter badges and other monitoring equipment, can be seen below:

Another, more detailed explanation of Operation Plumbbob itself:

Another view of some of the ways in which NTS Workers were exposed to radiation can be seen in the 1951 film by the Albuquerque Operations Office of Operation Ranger, Operation Buster/Jangle:

* Site Location and Background:
The Central Nevada Test Area (CNTA) is located approximately 22.5 kilometers (km) (14 miles [mi]) north of U.S. Highway 6 and approximately 137 km (85 mi) northeast of Tonopah in Nye County, Nevada (Figure 1−1). Three emplacement boreholes, UC-1, UC-3, and UC-4, were drilled at CNTA for underground nuclear weapons testing. The Project Faultless underground nuclear test was conducted in borehole UC-1 at a depth of 975 m (3,200 ft) below ground surface on January 19, 1968. The other two emplacement boreholes (UC-3 and UC-4) were not used, and no further testing was conducted at CNTA. Boreholes UC-1, UC-3, and UC-4 are located on three separate land withdrawals that range in size from approximately 1 to 1.5 square mi (Figure 1−2). All three land withdrawals are accessible to the public.

nevada_test_site_location_map_fig_1-1

Geologic Setting:
The CNTA is located in the north-central portion of the Hot Creek Valley within the Basin and Range physiographic province. This province consists of regularly spaced, roughly north-south−trending mountain ranges separated by alluvial valleys formed by faulting. The UC-1 site lies at an elevation of 1,860 m (6,100 ft) above mean sea level and is bordered by the Hot Creek Range to the west and the Pancake Range to the east of UC-1. The Hot Creek Range is composed of Paleozoic sedimentary rocks and Tertiary volcanic rocks. The Paleozoic rocks comprise sandstones, quartzite, limestone, and dolomite, while the Tertiary volcanic rocks comprise welded tuff, nonwelded bedded tuff, argillized and zeolitized tuff, conglomeratic tuffaceous sandstone, carbonaceous siltstone, and rhyolite (Healey 1968). The alluvium at UC-1 is approximately 730 m (2,400 ft) thick and is underlain by tuffaceous sediments and zeolitized tuffs to a depth of approximately 998 m (3,275 ft) (Barnes 1968). The Morey Peak−Hot Creek Caldera is thought to be buried by deposits of tuff and alluvium beneath the northern portion of Hot Creek Valley (Healey 1968).

The Project Faultless test resulted in the subsidence of an irregularly shaped area of approximately 0.9 square kilometer (0.3 square mile). One northeast-trending fault scarp extends beneath the southeastern corner of the UC-1 Mud Pit and cover with as much as 4.6 m (15 ft) vertical displacement. Normal drainage patterns were disrupted by the formation of this scarp, so flood diversion channels were constructed to protect the cover and prevent infiltration along the fault scarp (NNSA/NV 2001). Depth to the water table at the UC-1 CMP is approximately 168 m (550 ft).

nevada_test_site_regional_map_fig_1-2
*Source

DOCUMENTS:

NIOSH SEC Petition Evaluation Reports
Petition 55 (Jan 1, 1951 to Dec 31, 1963)
SEC Petition Evaluation Report, Petition SEC-00055, Report Rev # 0
Report Submittal Date: 4-10-2006

Petition 70 (Jan 1, 1942 to Dec 31, 1954)
Merged with Petition 84

Petition 84 (Jan 1, 1942 to Dec 31, 1954)
SEC Petition Evaluation Report, Petition SEC-00084, Report Rev #: 1
Report Submittal Date: January 25, 2010

Technical Basis Documents
Technical Basis Document for the Nevada Test Site – Introduction
Effective Date: 07/20/2006

Nevada Test Site – Site Description
Effective Date: 05/27/2008

Nevada Test Site – Occupational Medical Dose
Effective Date: 11/26/2012

Nevada Test Site – Occupational Environmental Dose
Effective Date: 08/24/2012

Nevada Test Site – Occupational Internal Dose
Effective Date: 08/17/2012, Revision: 03

Nevada Test Site – Occupational External Dose
Effective Date: 11/09/2012, Revision: 03