DOL Sets Nov. 14 Meeting for Virginia Nuclear Workers
Covered facilities in the state are BWX Technologies Inc. (previously known as Babcock & Wilcox Co.) in Lynchburg, Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility in Newport News, and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.
The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs will host an outreach event Nov. 14 in Lynchburg, Va., to inform current and former nuclear weapons workers from three covered facilities in the state about benefits available to them under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA). Workers' family members may be entitled to benefits and are encouraged to participate.
Covered facilities include BWX Technologies Inc. (previously known as Babcock & Wilcox Co.) in Lynchburg, Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility in Newport News, and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.
"We encourage all former nuclear weapons workers and their families living in Virginia to attend this event and learn more about the benefits they may be entitled to under the EEOICPA. Interested individuals can either file a claim at the event or contact our Oak Ridge Resource Center for additional information," said Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Director Rachel P. Leiton. The act provides lump-sum compensation and medical benefits to current and former nuclear weapons workers whose illness is the result of working in the nuclear weapons industry. To date, the program has paid more than $120 million in compensation and medical benefits to 978 claimants living in Virginia and more than $15.5 billion nationwide.
At the meeting, which will begin at 9 a.m. and continue until 4 p.m., staffers will provide information regarding the mission of the EEOICPA and will be available to answer questions, provide claim status updates, and help individuals file new claims.