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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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EEOICPA Covered Facilities: Bliss & Laughlin Steel

The EEOICPA was passed in 2000. It provides compensation to workers who became ill as a result of their employment manufacturing nuclear weapons in the USA, as well as their spouses, children, and grandchildren. Bliss & Laughlin Steel EEOICPA coverage is available for qualified former Workers and their families.

Are you eligible for compensation? If you or a family member worked at this or another AWE facility and became ill, you may be entitled to compensation of up to $150K plus medical benefits. Call EEOICPA Counsel Hugh Stephens at 1-855-548-4494 or fill out our free claim evaluation, We can help even if you’ve already filed, even if your claim was denied!

Here, we have compiled publicly available information and documentation about the facilities covered by the Act to clarify how their activities relate to the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act.

Bliss & Laughlin Steel

Also Known As: B & L Steel, Niagara Cold Drawn
State: New York
Location: Buffalo
Time Period: AWE 1951-1952; Residual Radiation 1953-1999
Facility Type: Atomic Weapons Employer

Facility Description: Under contract to the National Lead Company of Ohio (Fernald), Bliss and Laughlin Steel rolled uranium rods for the AEC and also provided uranium slug machining services. Bliss and Laughlin was part of a complex called the Buffalo Works that fashioned components for the early weapons program. The functions were transferred to the Albuquerque South Valley Site in 1952.

Although this site was designated for the Formerly Utilized Site Remediation Action Program (FUSRAP) in 1992, no work occurred under this program prior to its transfer to the Army Corps of Engineers.

During the period of residual contamination, as designated by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and as noted in the dates above,employees of subsequent owners and operators of this facility are also covered under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act.

Listing:
Bliss & Laughlin Steel is listed as an Atomic Weapons Employer (AWE) site under the EEOICPA.

Compensation:
As of 03/15/2015, the total compensation paid under Parts B and E of the EEOICPA, including medical compensation, for workers suffering from the effects of having worked at Bliss & Laughlin Steel is $2,567,677.

Bliss & Laughlin Steel Workers:
If you or your parent worked at this or any other AWE facility and became ill, you may be entitled to compensation of up to $150K plus medical benefits from the US Department of Labor. Call EEOICPA Counsel Hugh Stephens at 1-855-EEOICPA (336-4272) or fill out the form to the right, whether ot not you have already filed a claim and even if your claim has been accepted or denied.

We can help with all OWCP (Federal Workers Compensation) claims, impairments, wage loss and health care. 2495 Main Street, Suite 442 Buffalo, NY.

*Site Description and History :
The Buffalo, New York, Site (formerly the Bliss & Laughlin Steel site) is located at 110 Hopkins Street in the southern portion of Buffalo, New York. The site consists of a single, approximately 129,600-square-foot building surrounded by approximately 161,460 square feet of grounds. Used for finishing steel products, the facility is currently owned by the Niagara LaSalle Corporation.

In September and October of 1952, the Bliss & Laughlin Steel Company machined and straightened uranium rods under subcontract to National Lead of Ohio (NLO), who operated the Fernald Site in Ohio under contract to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission (AEC). These activities at the Buffalo

site generated 53 drums of uranium waste cuttings, which AEC shipped to the Lake Ontario Ordnance Works in Lewiston, New York, for disposal or recycling. At the completion of the uranium-machining operations, NLO conducted radiological surveys of the facility and identified contamination on the machining equipment. These machines were subsequently replaced.

Because no records could be located indicating the radiological condition of the site following uranium machining, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Environmental Restoration and Waste Management recommended a survey of current radiological conditions. A 1992 preliminary survey of the building interior and exterior indicated residual radioactive material on the floor of the Special Finishing Area, a 3,230-square-foot section of the facility where the machining operations were performed. Samples confirmed that the contaminant was processed uranium metal. As a result of the 1992 survey, DOE designated the Buffalo site for inclusion into the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP) in that year.

A subsequent site characterization identified elevated levels of radioactivity on the surfaces of the trusses and the floor of the former Special Finishing Area and on the concrete poured over a trench located west of this area. In addition, contamination in a second trench in the former Special Finishing Area was identified during the remediation process. Remediation of the Buffalo site began in December 1998 and continued through March 1999. Trusses were remediated by scraping, wiping, and then removing the residual dust with a high-efficiency vacuum. Scabbling (a process that grinds and removes the surface of concrete) and jackhammers were used to remove surface contamination from the floor and from the concrete over the trench west of the Special Finishing Area. The second trench and a pit area contained metal shavings and debris, which were removed manually.

The concrete pad covering this trench was jackhammered, and the trench walls and floors were scabbled, jackhammered, and sand-blasted. Approximately 60 cubic yards of construction debris was generated during the decontamination of the trusses, floors, and trenches. This debris was handled as radiologically contaminated waste and shipped to a licensed facility in Clive, Utah, for disposal.

bliss&laughlin_map
*Source
 
DOCUMENTS:
 
NIOSH Petition Evaluation Reports

Petition 131 (Jan 1, 1948 to Dec 31, 1998)
SEC Petition Evaluation Report, Petition SEC-00131, Rev #: 0
Report Submittal Date: June 30, 2009

 
Petition 230 (January 1, 1999 through December 31, 1999)
SEC Petition Evaluation Report, Petition SEC-00230, Rev #: 0
Report Submittal Date: July 12, 2016

 
Technical Basis Documents
Site Profiles for Atomic Weapons Employers that Worked Uranium Metals
 
Appendix D – Bliss and Laughlin Steel