No one should have to suffer a severe, life-altering medical condition from going to work. Sadly, this is the case for many nuclear weapons workers and their families.
As a uranium worker, you may have also been afflicted with a medical condition because of your exposure to harmful chemicals and substances. Fortunately, under Part B of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA), you may be entitled to compensation. Benefits may also be available to you through the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA).
Learn more about RECA and EEOICPA compensation for uranium workers in this post. Unsure if you qualify? Let an attorney with Stephens & Stephens look over your claim options for free.
What Is the EEOICPA?
Passed into law in 2000 and coming into effect the following year, the EEOICPA grants financial compensation and medical benefits to certain eligible workers who became ill after exposure to toxic substances at a Department of Energy (DOE) or similar facilities, such as a subcontractor facility.
There are two parts to the EEOICPA—Part B and Part E. Generally, Part B provides benefits to workers who developed cancer, beryllium disease or sensitivity, or select other conditions during or after their time working at a DOE facility or eligible atomic weapons employer.
Part E provides benefits to DOE contractors or subcontractors whose illnesses or medical conditions were aggravated by or caused by their exposure to harmful chemicals in an occupational setting. Part E provides benefits for a wide range of illnesses, including those covered under Part B.
The types of compensation you can receive under the EEOICPA depend on your illnesses, damages, and the part that applies in your case.
Successful claimants could be awarded multiple benefits, including:
- Financial compensation
- Lost income benefits
- Impairment benefits
- Fully integrated medical care services paid by the government
If you’re unsure whether or not you qualify, you can visit an EEOICPA resource center and contact an attorney with Stephens & Stephens for a free claim evaluation.
Uranium Workers and RECA
The Department of Justice oversees the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) compensation program, which grants cash compensation to former workers who suffered specific diseases.
For eligible uranium workers, this equates to a one-time, lump sum cash benefit of up to $100,000.
RECA also provides cash compensation to qualifying on-site participants at atmospheric nuclear weapons test sites, as well as for individuals who lived downwind of the Nevada test site, who are also referred to as “downwinders.”
Uranium workers, including uranium miners, millers, and ore transporters, may qualify for compensation.
Overlap in Compensation Options for Workers
Under Part B of the EEOICPA, eligible uranium workers who also received compensation via RECA may be entitled to an additional payment of $50,000. However, if your RECA claim is denied, then so will your EEOICPA Part B claim—so it’s important to engage a representative with experience handling these claims.
Reach Out for Help with an EEOICPA or RECA Claim
No one should have to face a debilitating illness or medical condition from their work. If you or a loved one were impacted by toxic substances after working as a uranium worker, you may be entitled to compensation.
At Stephens & Stephens, we’ve helped our clients recover millions of dollars in compensation. Call us at 716-852-7590 or fill out the form below with a description of your illness and we’ll get you started with a free, no-obligation evaluation.