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EEOICPA & RECA Attorneys

Stephens & Stephens has obtained over $60 million through the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act and the Energy Employees Occupation Illness Compensation Act for our clients

Dee GodfreyDee Godfrey
18:49 12 Mar 24
I was astounded with the service I received from Mr. Hugh Stephens in regard to my husband's compensation claim. He was not only efficient, but also compassionate, and communicated clearly and frequently. Because of his outstanding efforts and expertise, I, who am now a grieving widow, am unexpectedly stabile and secure. I had little to do. He did all the heavy lifting. I'm so very grateful for his help. I'll always remember not only his professionalism, but also his kindness.
Audrey OgletreeAudrey Ogletree
22:19 09 Mar 24
From: Laurence OgletreeI received good assistance from Stephens & Stephens in submitting the recent claim for increased impairment benefits from the Energy Workers program.
Randy MooreRandy Moore
14:48 07 Mar 24
I was a machinist at Honeywell F.M.&T.and developed bilateral tinnitus and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. They helped me file a claim with EEOICPA in 2017. Stephen’s & Stephen’s was very good to work with, they take care of all the paperwork and help with any paperwork I receive from the Department of Labor. They stay on top of things helping with scheduling impairment reviews etc.I feel that without their help this would have been a very overwhelming process.I plan on still using them if any other illnesses occur due to my employment with Honeywell.
Mike DauzatMike Dauzat
15:54 02 Mar 24
I highly recommend Stevens and Stevens. Hugh Stevens and his staff are very professional and very friendly. They're extremely good at making sure you get the full amount of money you deserve. If you need a DOL lawyer, I highly recommend this team. I can't be more happy that I picked Stevens and Stevens.
Mary YbarraMary Ybarra
01:33 27 Feb 24
Stephen’s and Stephen’s has kept fight for my dad. Now they are fight for my mom. They are on top of things and I would recommend them to anyone who needs help and guidance with the Uranium mines.
Dianne HarperDianne Harper
01:02 17 Feb 24
Robert and I are very pleased with Mr. Hugh Stephens and all that he has done for us. From the first moment we spoke, we sensed that though Mr. Stephens exhibits sharp business acumen, he cares deeply about his clients and he has a huge heart.
Diane pontonDiane ponton
17:38 07 Feb 24
I tried to get others to help me with this claim, and it wasn"t until I hired Mr. Stephens that things started happening. I would recommend any one to get in touch with him . I would go to him again, if i ever needed to.
Judy LeonardJudy Leonard
22:26 06 Feb 24
I very much appreciate the successful litigation concerning my husband's Hanford work related illness. Stephens & Stephens LLP were thorough, caring, considerate, and fair during this difficult time.
Kenneth GKenneth G
18:23 03 Feb 24
Mr. Stephens was able to simplify an otherwise complicated lengthy process (DEEOIC) to file an initial claim as well as a claim for impairment benefits.
dave DONAIDdave DONAID
18:08 03 Feb 24
Frankie KnucFrankie Knuc
19:24 08 Jan 24
I had other attorneys hired in Cortez, Colorado and Grand Jct., Colorado to assist me with receiving my uranium claim, but they were not successful. I was advised by an employee of CNS of Stephens & Stephens, LLP good work. I contacted them & they took my case It was settled very quickly. I have been very pleased with this group & would advise others of their prompt service. I would recommend them to others. Respectfully, Frankie Knuckles
Rebecca ConsolRebecca Consol
19:57 22 Dec 23
My family used Stephen’s and Stephen’s for a settlement case. We were extremely pleased with all they did. They were very professional, easy to get a hold of, and invaluable when it came to answering questions and handling complicated Department of Labor issues and forms. They also did everything in a very timely manner. I have already recommended them to other people.
Thomas CliffordThomas Clifford
15:29 21 Dec 23
I have been represented by Hugh Stevens for several years now, He and his staff has made everything so easy for me. I had lung cancer from working in the uranium processing industry, they have opened so many doors for me and made dealing with DOL so much easier. They always answer my questions in a very timely manner. I have referred several other people to him and he has been able to get them through this process also. There are benefits that I was not aware of that he has brought to my attention and been able to lead me through the process of obtaining them. I would most highly recommend him to lead anyone through this process.
Lonnie killingHawkLonnie killingHawk
02:35 14 Dec 23
When I first contacted Stephens & Stephens I was at the end of my rope with DOL. Hough and his staff got me on track and handled everything with DOL and just made this process so easy. Do not know where I'd be with out them. They are able to communicate at a layman's level and understand the client. Would strongly recommend this firm.
Ruthy LyonRuthy Lyon
21:00 28 Sep 23
Our initial conversation with Mr. Stephens was productive & reassuring. His previous experience with similar cases was obvious and very helpful, in both asking us specific questions for clarification & also addressing our own questions. Breanna is also a great asset to their team.
James O'DayJames O'Day
15:07 13 Sep 23
I have referred several friends to Hugh Stephens and they were more satisfied than they ever expected. I would refer him with confidence to anyone in need. I trust when he speaks for me, for example, in court. He is a good communicator and a deep thinker. He is well respected in his profession. He handles environmental law, injury law, and medical malpractice. He is tactful and direct and knows what he is doing. He knows the legal briar patches well.
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Former Worker Medical Screening Programs Under the United States Department of Energy

U.S. Department of Energy Former Worker Medical Screening Program (FWP)

Section 3162 of the Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993 requires the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to establish and carry out a program in order to identify and evaluate DOE employees subject to significant health risks as a result of their exposure to hazardous or radioactive substances while employed at a DOE facility. 50 U.S.C. § 2733 (2013).

The Act also requires that the DOE provide a process to:

  • Identify hazardous and/or radioactive substances that DOE employees may have been exposed to during their employment at a DOE site;
  • Identify those DOE employees who may have been exposed to such hazardous and/or radioactive substances;
  • Determine the number, scope, and frequency of the medical evaluations that are to be provided to exposed employees;
  • Make available the evaluations and tests to the exposed employee;
  • Maintain the privacy of the exposed employees; and
  • Ensure that employee participation is voluntary.

Id. at § 2733(b)(1). In addition to providing evaluations, tests, and results to the exposed employees, the Act requires the DOE to collect and assemble the information to assist in preventing the exposure and illness in current and future DOE employees. Id. at § 2733(b)(5).

The purpose of FWP is to provide voluntary medical screenings to assist DOE employees in the early detection of illnesses or conditions potentially related to their employment at a DOE facility. Not only does this provide the DOE employee with information on the status of their health, but also the DOE gains valuable information about the trends on the health effects of exposure to hazardous or radioactive substances and how to reduce those effects for future employees.

In order to remain objective, the FWP uses independent occupational health experts to administer the medical screening programs. U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Environment, Health, Safety & Security, “Former Worker Medical Screening Program,” available at http://energy.gov/ehss/services/worker-health-and-safety/former-worker-medical-screening-program. The FWP is administered through both regional screening projects, with clinics in communities near DOE sites, and nationwide screening projects, with a vast network of clinics nationwide. Id.

Nationwide Screening Projects

The National Supplemental Screening Program (NSSP)

The National Supplemental Screening Program (NSSP) provides free medical screenings to eligible Department of Energy (DOE) employees. It is operated by Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) and its partners, including National Jewish Health (NJH), Comprehensive Health Services, Inc. (CHS), Axion Health, and the University of Colorado Denver. National Supplemental Screening Program (NSSP), available at http://www.orau.org/nssp/default.htm.

Medical Screening

The NSSP provides free medical screenings to detect health issues resulting from exposure to hazardous substances and radiation while employed at a DOE facility. Eligible employees are entitled to a customized medical screening based on their work history and work site risks. In addition, special examinations are available for employees who have been exposed to beryllium (i.e. the BeLPT test), asbestos, radioactive substances, or lasers. In addition to the initial medical screening, rescreening is authorized by the DOE every three years. Initially, this rescreening was only allowed for beryllium sensitivity testing but now includes all medical testing. National Supplemental Screening Program (NSSP), “Screening Exam,” available at http://www.orau.org/nssp/nssp-screening-exam.html. Like an initial screening, rescreening is entirely voluntarily and eligible employees may elect to repeat all, some, or none of the tests available.

Eligible Workers

Former DOE employees, contractors, or subcontractors who may have been exposed to radiation and/or worked with hazardous substances are eligible for free medical screening so long as they worked at one of the covered facilities: Argonne National Laboratory, Fermi National Laboratory, or Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory. National Supplemental Screening Program (NSSP), “Am I Eligible?” available at http://www.orau.org/nssp/am-i-eligible.html.

Former production workers are eligible if they worked at Hanford, Kansas City Plant, Pinellas Plant, Rocky Flats, or Savannah River Site. Id. Because the medical providers included under these Former Worker Programs are limited, a worker who does not meet the criteria of one of the regional FWP, as discussed below, may be referred to the NSSP if he or she no longer lives in the vicinity of a regional FWP. Id.

Building Trades National Medical Screening Program (BTNMSP)

The Building Trades National Medical Screening Program (BTNMSP) is a national screening program conducted by the CPWR – Center for Construction Research and Training in conjunction with the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Duke University Medical Center, and Zenith American Solutions, Inc.

Medical Screening

Like the other screening programs, the BTNMSP provides free medical screening to eligible DOE employees. First, employees will undergo a comprehensive work history interview to help determine whether they have been exposed to hazardous and/or radioactive substances. Building Trades National Medical Screening Program, “Program Benefits,” available at https://www.btmed.org/benefits.cfm. Next, eligible employees are given a free medical screening examination. Id. The screening may help with the early detection of health problems and will also be used for informational purposes to better protect the health of current and former DOE employees. Id.

Eligible Workers

 To be eligible under the BTNMSP, the employee must have performed construction work, either as a contractor or subcontractor, at any time in the past for the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) or a DOE site associated with the research or production of nuclear weapons. Building Trades National Medical Screening Program, “Who Is Eligible?” available at https://www.btmed.org/eligible.cfm. In addition, the employee must have potentially been exposed to a health hazard, such as radiation, beryllium, asbestos, silica, mercury, cadmium, nickel, lead, uranium, plutonium, and etcetera or think that he or she has developed serious health problems as a result of his or her DOE employment. Id.

Covered DOE Sites

To be eligible under the BTNMSP, the employee must have performed construction work at one of the following sites:

  • Hanford Nuclear Reservation
  • Argonne National Laboratories (West)
  • Idaho National Laboratory
  • Amchitka Island Nuclear Explosion Site
  • Rocky Flats Plant
  • Waste Isolation Pilot Plant
  • Kansas City Plant
  • Mallinckrodt Chemical Company
  • Weldon Spring Site
  • Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant
  • Piqua Organic Moderated Reactor
  • Mount Plant
  • GE Evendale
  • Fernald Feed Materials Center
  • Oak Ridge Reservation (K-25, X-10, Y-12)
  • Savannah River Site
  • Brush Luckey
  • Battelle Laboratories (King Avenue and West Jefferson)
  • Ashtabula (Reactive Metals Extrusion Plant)
  • Shippingport Atomic Power Plant
  • Brookhaven National Laboratory
  • National Energy Technology Plant
  • Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant
  • Huntington Pilot Plant
  • Pinellas Plant

Regional Screening Projects

Worker Health Protection Program (WHPP)

The Worker Health Protection Program (WHPP) provides free medical screening for former and some current employees at thirteen participating Department of Energy (DOE) facilities. The WHPP seeks to detect work-related illnesses at an early stage and assist employees in determining whether a current health condition is the result of their exposure to hazardous materials while employed at a DOE facility. The program is funded by a contract with the DOE and is led by the Queens College of the City of New York, in collaboration with the United Steel Workers (USW), Atomic Trades and Labor Council (ATLC), and the former Fernald Atomic Trades and Labor Council (FATLC). The Worker Health Protection Program, available at http://www.worker-health.org/index.html.

Medical Screening

The WHPP provides medical screening examinations for chronic lung diseases, kidney disease, liver disease, and hearing loss. The tests that accompany the physical examination include:

  • Spirometry, used to diagnose chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other chronic lung conditions;
  • Chest x-ray;
  • Audiometry, used to diagnose hearing loss;
  • Urinalysis, used to diagnose kidney disease;
  • Blood test;
  • Beryllium sensitivity test (BeLPT) for eligible employees who were possibly exposed to beryllium as a result of their employment at a DOE facility;
  • Low-dose CT scan, used to diagnose lung cancer, for eligible former Nevada Test Site, Mound Plant, and Fernald Plant employees as well as current and former Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Y-12 Plant, and Gaseous Diffusion Plant employees; and
  • Medical and occupational exposure questionnaires.

While only available to eligible workers, a beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test (BeLPT) is used to determine whether a former employee has developed an allergic reaction or sensitivity to beryllium or is at risk for developing Chronic Beryllium Disease (CBD). The Worker Health Protection Program, “Beryllium Testing,” available at http://www.worker-health.org/berylliumtesting.html. In the event that an employee receives abnormal results from his or her BeLPT test, he or she is eligible to participate in follow-up medical tests, which are used to diagnose CBD. CBD can be compensated under Parts B and/or E of the Energy Employee Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA).

Eligible Workers

To obtain free medical screening under the WHPP, an employee must first be deemed eligible. If a former employee was employed at one of the participating DOE sites, listed below, for thirty days or more, he or she is eligible for free medical screening. In the event that the former employee was employed at Nevada Test Site, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, or Sandia National Laboratories, the period of employment must be one year or more. While the program only covers former employees for a majority of the DOE facilities, current employees at the Paducah or Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plants are also eligible for free screening. The Worker Health Protection Program, “What We Do,” available at http://www.worker-health.org/whatwedo.html.

Covered DOE Sites

The participating DOE facilities under the WHPP include:

  • Sandia/CA National Lab in Livermore, CA;
  • Lawrence Livermore National Lab (LLNL) in Livermore, CA;
  • Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBNL) in Berkeley, CA;
  • Nevada Test Site in Las Vegas, NV;
  • Idaho National Laboratory (INL) in Idaho Falls, ID;
  • Mound Plant in Miamisburg, OH;
  • Fernald Plant in Harrison, OH;
  • Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant in Paducah, KY;
  • K-25 Complex in Oak Ridge, TN;
  • Y-12 Plant/Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in Oak Ridge, TN; and
  • Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant in Piketon, OH.

The WHPP contracts with medical facilities to provide free medical screenings near all of the covered DOE facilities. A list of participating medical facilities is provided at http://www.worker-health.org/whatwedo.html.

Pantex Former Worker Program

Former employees, who are at risk for illness due to their exposure to hazardous and/or radioactive substances while employed at Pantex Plant in Amarillo, TX, are entitled to a free medical screening. The program is administered by Drexel University School of Public Health and the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler. U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Environment, Health, Safety & Security, “Pantex, Former Production Workers Screening Projects,” available at http://www.energy.gov/ehss/pantex-former-production-workers-screening-projects.

Medical Exam Program for Former Workers from Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories

Medical Screening

The Medical Exam Program for Former Workers from Los Alamos (LANL) and Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) was established to determine whether the health of former employees from either DOE facility was affected due to their employment and exposure to hazardous substances.

The Medical Exam Program for former LANL employees focuses on exposure to asbestos, beryllium, lead, noise, radiation, and solvents. John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, “Medical Exam Program,” available at http://www.jhsph.edu/research/affiliated-programs/medical-exam-program-for-former-workers-at-los-alamos-national-laboratory/. The Medical Exam Program for SNL employees focuses on the same substances as well as silica.

The initial medical screening includes an exam and selected tests, depending on which substances the employee was exposed to. Employees are eligible for a rescreening every three years if they had past exposure to asbestos and/or beryllium. Id.

Eligible Workers

To be eligible for a free medical screening exam, former LANL employees must have worked at the LANL site anytime after 1943, been significantly exposed to one of the substances listed above, and been employed by the University of California, Zia, Pan Am World Services, Johnson Controls International, Johnson Controls of Northern New Mexico, or another subcontractor. Id.

To be eligible for a free medical screening exam, former SNL employees must have worked at the SNL site anytime after 1949, been significantly exposed to one of the substances listed above, and been employed by Z-Division Sandia Laboratories, Sandia Corporation (Western Electric), Sandia Corporation (Lockheed Martin), or Sandia National Laboratories (SNL).

Former Worker Medical Screening Program for Line 1/Division B Iowa Army Ammunition Plant and Ames Laboratory

The Former Worker Medical Screening Program provides free medical screenings to all employees of Line 1/Division B of the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant from 1949 to 1975 and Ames Laboratory in Ames, IA. The program is administered by the University of Iowa College of Public Health. The University of Iowa College of Public Health, “Former Worker Medical Screening Program (FWP),” available at http://cph.uiowa.edu/IowaFWP/line1/screening.html.

The Former Worker Medical Screening Program provides free medical screenings to eligible employees, which include a chest x-ray, a Pulmonary Function Test (PFT), a Beryllium Lymphocyte Proliferation Test (BeLPT), and general laboratory tests. Id. For those living in Iowa, medical screenings are offered in Burlington, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa City, or Ames. Id. For those not residing in Iowa, the Former Medical Screening Program refers employees to the NSSP. Id.

DISCLAIMER: The material presented in this blog post is meant for informational purposes only. It is not intended as professional advice and should not be construed as such. Transmission of this information is not intended to create, and receipt does not constitute, an agreement to create an attorney-client relationship with Stephens & Stephens, LLP or any member thereof. If specific legal assistance of advice is needed, the services of a competent legal professional should be sought. – See more at: https://stephensstephens.com/category/our-eeoicpa-blog/#sthash.xK48Y8dA.dpuf