LETTERS

Nuclear weapons workers may be eligible for compensation

Posted

To the Editor:

From the 1940s through the 1980s, workers in the nuclear weapons industry were exposed to radiation while performing their jobs. This included certain workers at 33 facilities in southern New England, among them, C.I. Hayes in Cranston and the former Texas Instruments plant in Attleboro.

In October 2000, Congress enacted a compensation program for those workers, the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act, which is administered by the US Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs. The program provides lump-sum compensation and medical benefits to eligible U.S. Department of Energy nuclear weapons workers, including employees, former employees, contractors and subcontractors. Survivors of qualified workers also may be entitled to benefits.

We believe there are many current and former nuclear weapons workers living in Bristol County and southern New England who are eligible for monetary compensation and medical benefits, but who have yet to file a claim. We want to inform these individuals about the program and to assist them with obtaining the compensation and medical benefits to which they are entitled

On June 18, beginning at 9:30 a.m., EDT, we will hold a town hall meeting at Bristol Community College in Attleboro to inform the public of the program and to answer questions. A second town hall will be held on June 19 in Cromwell, Conn. We encourage anyone interested in filing a claim or learning more about the EEOICPA to attend these meetings or, if you cannot attend, contact our New York Resource Center at 800-941-3943.

Rachel P. Leiton

Director,

Division of Energy

Employees Occupational Illness Compensation, U.S. Department of Labor

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