Workers' Compensation News

New Energy Federal Workers Compensation Program

ARVADA, Colo. – U.S. Department of Labor officials will host a series of town hall meetings November 7 and 8 in Arvada, Colo. to explain the interim final rule and other issues related to the implementation of Part E under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA).

Recent EEOICPA amendments abolished Part D and created Part E to provide compensation for certain Department of Energy (DOE) contractor or subcontractor employees who became ill as a result of exposure to toxic substances at certain DOE facilities.  The new law also provides additional compensation for uranium workers covered by the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) and certain survivors of covered employees.

Congress mandated that the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issue regulations governing implementation of Part E.  To speed the start-up of the new program prior to issuing those regulations, DOL identified survivors payable under preliminary procedures issued in December 2004.  To date, more than $207 million has been paid to 1,627 recipients under the new program.  With the May 26 release of the interim final rule, DOL is now able to undertake benefit analysis for complex claims, including wage loss and impairment evaluations.

If you have suffered personal injuries or emotional distress due to the negligence of workers compensaton laws in Washington, contact our Workers Compensation lawyer now and obtain a free case evaluation.

	Did You Know?
	The Hazard Communication Standard provides workers exposed to hazardous chemicals with the right-to-know The Hazard Communication Standard provides workers exposed to hazardous chemicals with the right-to-know the identities and hazards of those materials, as well as appropriate protective measures. When workers have such information, they are able to take steps to protect themselves from experiencing adverse effects from exposure. In addition, providing such information to employers helps them to design better protective programs for exposed employees.