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 Vermont, contact our Workers Compensation lawyer now and obtain a free case evaluation.

	Did You Know?
	Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) are OSHA's premier partnership programs The Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) are OSHA's premier partnership programs designed to recognize workplaces with exemplary safety and health programs. VPP participants serve as models of excellence for others in their industries and communities and are exempt from routine OSHA inspections.