EEOICPA Special Exposure Cohort Coverage: Amarillo, Texas
Effective February 3, 2017, the following class of workers was added to the Special Exposure Cohort of the EEOICPA. The Act now includes potential compensation for all employees of the U.S. Department of Energy, its predecessor agencies, and contractors and subcontractors who worked at the Amarillo, TX plant.
The qualifying dates of employment for this class are the years 1951 through 1957. This latest EEIOCPA Special Exposure Cohort class is an addition to the previous two classes at the Pantex Plant covering 1958 through 1983 and 1984 through 1991. This addition has extended the total SEC time frame to forty years, from 1951 through 1991. It’s important to note that all years mentioned as qualifying dates begin on January 1st and end on December 31st.
A worker who is included in a designated Special Exposure Cohort class, and who was diagnosed with one of 22 EEOICPA covered cancers, may qualify for a presumption of causation under the EEOICPA. This will make the claims process easier, giving more affected workers access to financial compensation.
Qualifying employees must have worked at least 250 days, either solely under the above-mentioned employment or in combination with workdays within the parameters established for one or more classes of employees included in the SEC.
It’s crucial to determine the time frame that an employee has worked at the two accepted facilities for the Special Exposure Cohort classes… but what if you aren’t positive when employment ended or began?
When a worker or surviving family member cannot find any paperwork to support employment history, our firm can work with the Department of Labor to retrieve the needed documentation.
The next important proof that needs to be provided is the diagnosis of an EEIOCPA accepted illness. There are 22 specified cancers listed below with some additional information provided in links for each.
The first six cancers listed are accepted, regardless of whether or not they are a consequence of another illness. The following cancers on the list, however, must be primary. This means that they must have been caused directly by toxic substances in the workplace, and their on-set must have been at least five years after the initial exposure.
For more information, watch the latest episode in our EEIOCPA video series, where Hugh Stephens explains the 22 Cancers and EEIOCPA.
Still not sure whether an illness is consequential or primary? Our team can help explain the program to you and your doctor (or refer you to a trusted medical professional) and see if you qualify for compensation under the EEIOCPA program.
The 22 Specified Cancers:
1 – Bone Cancer
2 – Renal Cancer
3 – Leukemia, provided that the onset of the disease was at least two years after initial exposure
4 – Lung Cancer,other than in situ lung cancer that is discovered during or after a post-mortem exam
5 – Multiple Myeloma, provided onset was at least 5 years after the initial exposure
6 – Lymphomas,other than Hodgkin’s disease, provided onset was at least 5 years after the initial exposure
Primary cancer of the following (provided onset was at least 5 years after the initial exposure):
7 – Bile Ducts
8 – Brain, malignancies only, not including intracranial endocrine glands
9 – Breast (male)
10 – Breast (female)
11 – Colon, including rectal cancer
12 – Esophagus
13 – Gall Bladder
14 – Liver, except if cirrhosis or hepatitis B is indicated
15 – Ovary
16 – Pancreas
17 – Pharynx, including the soft palate, back of the mouth, base of the tongue, and tonsils
18 – Salivary Glands
19 – Small Intestine
20 – Stomach
21 – Thyroid
22 – Urinary Bladder, including ureter and urethra
Need Help With Your EEOICPA Claim?
For more information about the new EEIOCPA Special Exposure Cohort for the Pantex plant, or to schedule an appointment for claim-filing assistance, contact an EEOICPA Attorney Hugh Stephens at 1-855-EEOICPA (336-4272) or fill out the form to the right. We will set up a time with you to talk about your potential claim.
Feel free to contact us whether or not you have already filed a claim, even if your claim has been previously accepted or denied. We would be happy to help you file for the compensation that you deserve.