Federal labor authorities say they are coming to New England next week to identify current and former Connecticut nuclear weapons workers whose job-related illnesses may entitle them to compensation.
The U.S. Department of Labor will host a town hall meeting on Thursday, June 19 at the Courtyard by Marriott Hartford-Cromwell, 4 Sebethe Drive, in Cromwell. A day earlier, a similar session will take place in Attleboro, Mass.
The purpose is to identify nuclear weapons employees who worked at 33 covered facilities in southern New England about the benefits available to them under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA).
“We believe there are many current and former nuclear weapons workers living in southern New England who are eligible for monetary compensation and medical benefits, but who have yet to file a claim,’’ said Division of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Director Rachel P. Leiton.
Labor agency staff will assist with filing new claims and providing updates on existing claims, Leiton said.
Covered facilities in Connecticut include: American Chain and Cable Co., Bridgeport; Anaconda Co., Waterbury; Bridgeport Brass Co., Havens Laboratory, Bridgeport; Combustion Engineering, Windsor; Connecticut Aircraft Nuclear Engine Laboratory, Middletown; Dorr Corp., Stamford; Fenn Machinery Co., Hartford; Machlett Laboratories, Stamford; New England Lime Co., Canaan; Seymour Specialty Wire, Seymour; Sperry Products Inc., Danbury; and Torrington Co., Torrington.
Anyone interested in filing a claim or learning more about the EEOICPA to attend the upcoming town hall meetings or contact the U.S. labor agency’s New York Resource Center at 800-941-3943.
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 may be entitled to benefits. Officials will present an overview of Parts B and E of the EEOICPA and discuss the medical benefits available to approved claimants.
To date, the agency says $65.7 million in EEOICPA compensation and medical benefits has been paid to 722 individuals living in Massachusetts; $26.8 million has been paid to 250 individuals in Connecticut and $11 million has been paid to 102 individuals living in Rhode Island.
Nationally, $10.4 billion has been paid.
