Labor Department Hosts Town Hall Meetings in Paducah Ky to Explain New Energy Workers Compensation Program

PADUCAH, Ky. – Labor officials will host two town hall meetings in Paducah to explain the interim final regulations and other issues related to the implementation of Part E of 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 specific 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 $109 million has been paid to 864 recipients under the new program.  With the May 26 release of interim final regulations, DOL is now able to undertake benefit analysis for complex claims, including wage loss and impairment evaluations.