Case workers available this week to help with radiation-exposure claims

Case workers available this week to help with radiation-exposure claims

September 11, 2001

Case workers with the Colorado Energy Employees Compensation Resource Center will be available in Grand Junction Thursday and Friday to assist claimants who may qualify under the Energy Employee Compensation Act of 2000 with filing claims.

Case workers will help Department of Energy employees, retirees, former workers, Radiation Exposure Compensation Act-qualified employees, surviving spouses and eligible dependents who may qualify for an award under the Compensation Act of 2000.

The new law, which went into effect July 31, provides $150,000 lump-sum compensation and related medical expenses to workers who became seriously ill from exposure to radiation, beryllium or silica while working in the nuclear-weapons industry. Compensation will also be available to some survivors of energy workers and to uranium workers who are eligible for benefits under Section Five of RECA.

Claims assistance will be given Thursday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Aspinall Federal Building (basement level), 400 Rood Ave.; and on Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Colorado Uranium Workers Council meeting, Grand Junction City Hall, 250 N. Fifth St.

Call the office toll-free at 1-866-540-4977 to set up an appointment with a case worker who has been trained to help workers complete applications and obtain medical and employment information. Workers or their families can also pick up application forms at Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell’s office, 400 Rood Ave., Suite 213, Grand Junction, (970) 241-6631.

The resource center where nuclear-weapons workers can go for help filing claims for compensation under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act opened in Westminster on July 23. The center, sponsored jointly by the U.S. Departments of Labor and Energy, is one of 10 throughout the country to help energy workers or their families file for compensation.

More information about the center is available on-line at www.dol.gov , or by calling toll-free 1-866-888-3322.