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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: Canoga Avenue Facility

The EEOICPA was passed in 2000. It provides compensation to workers who became ill as a result of their employment manufacturing nuclear weapons in the USA, as well as their spouses, children, and grandchildren. Canoga Avenue Facility EEOICPA coverage is available for qualified former Workers and their families.

Are you eligible for compensation? If you or a family member worked at this or another DOE facility and became ill, you may be entitled to compensation of up to $400K plus medical benefits. Call EEOICPA Counsel Hugh Stephens at 1-855-548-4494 or fill out our free claim evaluation, We can help even if you’ve already filed, even if your claim was denied!

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.

Canoga Avenue Facility

State: California
Location: Los Angeles County
Time Period: DOE 1955-1960
Facility Type: Department of Energy

Facility Description:
Under an operating contract with the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), North American Aviation performed research and development into the peaceful uses of nuclear energy at the Canoga Avenue Facility in Canoga Park, CA. This work was previously performed at North nAmerican Aviation’s Downey Facility, but was moved to Canoga Avenue at the very end of 1955. Principal work performed included design,development and radiochemistry. Beryllium machining is also believed to have occurred in there.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission concluded in its 1995 report on the facility that it “was found to be free of radioactive materials which indicated that the area had been successfully remediated… in the past.”

CONTRACTOR: North American Aviation 1955-1960

Listing:
Canoga Avenue Facility is listed as a Department of Energy (DOE) site under the EEOICPA.

Special Exposure Cohort (SEC) Classes:
The SEC classes for Canoga Avenue Facility include:
All employees of the Department of Energy, its predecessor agencies, and its contractors and subcontractors who worked at the Canoga Avenue Facility, Los Angeles County, California, from January 1, 1955 through December 31, 1960 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 Special Exposure Cohort.

Job Titles and/or Job Duties covered by the SEC class include:
All workers employed by North American Aviation who worked in any areas in any job capacity.

History:
Atomics International conducted radiological operations in the Vanowen Building on Canoga Avenue in Canoga Park, California from December, 1955 until late 1959. The work included the design, development, and operation of enriched uranyl sulfate reactors and radiochemistry. In 1960, all of these activities were moved to a new facility and all operations in the Vanowen Building ceased. Surveys carried our by Atomics International and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission indicated that there is no residual radioactivity in the Vanowen Building, in the soil and vegetation or groundwater in the vicinity of the building. Demolition of the Vanowen Building was completed in 2006.

Canoga Avenue Facility was formerly part of Energy Technology Engineering Center, Canoga Complex.

Compensation:
As of 01/11/2023, 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 Canoga Avenue Facility is $61,733,422. Click here for a current accounting of compensation paid to former Canoga Avenue Facility Workers under the EEOICPA.

Canoga Avenue Facility 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.

*Historical Operations (1956-60)
In 1956, Atomics International (AI) was formed as a division of North American Aviation. AI performed R&D into the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Between 1956 and 1960, this work was performed at the Vanowen building at the Atomics International (now Rocketdyne) facility on Canoga Avenue in Canoga Park, CA. Principal work performed at the Vanowen facility included design, development and operation of small, aqueous, 93% enriched uranyl sulfate, reactors, named L-47 and L- 77; reactor design, fuel development, and radiochemistry.

Both reactors were licensed by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission (ABC) and operations were routinely inspected by ABC staff. The location of both reactors was in the southeast comer of the Vanowen building in what is now the loading dock area.

In 1960, AI moved to its new facility on De Soto Ave. in Canoga Park, and all radiological activities were transferred to De Soto.

canoga_ave_layout
*Source

** Canoga Park
AEC-funded activities at Rockwell’s Canoga Park, California, occurred in the Vanowen Building from approximately 1954 to 1960. This work had been performed at North American Aviation’s Downey Facility, but was moved to Canoga Avenue at the end of 1955. Principal work in the Vanowen Building included design, development, and operation of small aqueous fuel reactors, fuel development, and radiochemistry, and beryllium machining is believed to have occurred. The reactors activities involved the construction of small 10-W aqueous uranyl sulfate homogeneous reactors named L-47 and L-77 for use in training institutions. Reactor fueling occurred only after the reactors were installed at the training institutions. A few fuel elements for the organic moderated reactor were fabricated at this facility.

Facilities where AEC-funded work took place within the Vanowen Building included the machine shop (where some beryllium machining took place), a radiochemical laboratory, and office space. The wastewater from all facilities except the laboratory discharged into a common treatment plant. The wastewater from the radiochemical laboratory went to a clarifier, where it was tested for radioactivity before being released to the sanitary sewer if it was below established standards. The sludge from the clarifier was disposed of in a government repository or an AEC site for low-level waste.

Once the AEC work was completed, the clarifier was surveyed for radioactivity, determined to be within acceptable standards, and backfilled. The transfer lines from the clarifier to the sewer main could still be present, but they are not in use.
**Source

DOCUMENTS:

NIOSH SEC Petition Evaluation Report:
Petition 151 (Jan 1, 1955 to Dec 31, 1960)
SEC Petition Evaluation Report – Petition SEC-00151 – Report Rev #: 2
Report Submittal Date: March 23, 2010

Technical Basis Documents
Site Profile
Atomics International – Introduction
Effective Date: 08/30/2006

Energy Technology Engineering Center – Site Description
Effective Date: 02/02/2006

Area IV of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory, the Canoga Avenue Facility (Vanowen Building), the Downey Facility, and the De Soto Avenue Facility (sometimes referred to as Energy Technology Engineering Center [ETEC] or Atomics International) Occupational Medical Dose
Effective Date: 10/31/2008

Area IV of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory, the Canoga Avenue Facility, the Downey Facility, and the De Soto Avenue Facility (sometimes referred to as Energy Technology Engineering Center [ETEC] or Atomics International) Occupational Environmental Dose
Effective Date: 04/26/2010

Area IV of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory, the Canoga Avenue Facility, the Downey Facility, and the De Soto Avenue Facility (sometimes referred to as Energy Technology Engineering Center [ETEC] or Atomics International) Occupational Internal Dose
Effective Date: 04/26/2010

Area IV of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory, the Canoga Avenue Facility, the Downey Facility, and the De Soto Avenue Facility (sometimes referred to as Energy Technology Engineering Center [ETEC] or Atomics International) Occupational External Dose
Effective Date: 04/26/2010