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Learn about the EEOICPA regulations administered by the DOL for employees of Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Understand who is eligible, covered conditions, dose reconstruction, Special Exposure Cohort, and means of verifying employment and exposure. Get insights into the $8.4 billion compensation program and specific details for Part B and Part E claims. Stay informed about SEC classes, verification methods, and employee coverage.
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Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Town Hall Meeting Sandia National Laboratories Albuquerque, New Mexico August 22, 2012
Administration of the EEOICPA • Part B (October 2000) • Part E (October 2004) • Agencies: • Department of Labor (DOL) • Department of Energy (DOE) • Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) • Department of Justice (DOJ)
EEOICPA Compensation • $8.4 Billion Total Compensation • $4.5 Billion Part B • $2.7 Billion Part E • $1.2 Billion Medical Data as of August 12, 2012
Sandia National Laboratories • DOE Covered Facility from 1945 – present • Contractors: • University of California: 1945 – 1948 • AT&T: 1949 – 1993 • Martin Marietta: 1993 – 1995 • Lockheed Martin: 1995 – present
Sandia National Laboratories Compensation • $84.4 Million Total Compensation • $48.5 Million Part B • $30.3 Million Part E • $5.6 Million Medical Data as of August 12, 2012
Covered Employees DOE employees or its contractors/subcontractors Atomic Weapons Employers (AWE) Eligible Survivors Surviving spouse Children – Regardless of age Parents Beryllium vendors (BV) RECA Section 5 awardees Grandchildren Grandparents Part B: Who’s Eligible?
Part B: Covered Conditions • Radiation induced cancer • Special Exposure Cohort • Probability of Causation • Beryllium Disease • Silicosis (for miners in Nevada and Alaska) • “Supplement” for RECA Section 5 uranium workers
Part B: Dose Reconstruction & Probability of Causation • Dose Reconstruction • Conducted by NIOSH • Level and extent of occupational radiation dose • Probability of Causation (PoC) • Scientific calculation of likelihood that radiation exposure caused cancer • NIOSH-IREP • PoC - 50% or greater for award
Part B: Special Exposure Cohort • Worker Group Designation • Presumption – occupational radiation caused cancer • Employment • Worked particular location or specific process • Work day requirement – 250 work days • “Specified” Cancer • 22 cancers named in law
Part B: Adding New SEC Classes • NIOSH designates new SEC classes • Worker Petition or Agency Decision • Advisory Board Assistance • 4 statutory SEC classes (3 GDPs + Amchitka) • As of June 27, 2012, HHS has designated 90 additional SEC classes • DOL administers SEC cases • No role in designation
Sandia National Laboratories 2 SEC Classes: • 1st SEC Class - Effective September 9, 2011 • Qualifying Employment: • DOE employees (or employees of predecessor agency – AEC) • DOE contractors and subcontractors • Worked in any area at the Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico • 250 workdays from Jan. 1, 1949 through Dec. 31, 1962
Sandia National Laboratories 2 SEC Classes (cont’d): • 2nd SEC Class - Effective June 10, 2012 • Qualifying Employment: • DOE employees (or employees of predecessor agency – AEC) • DOE contractors and subcontractors • Worked in any area at the Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico • 250 workdays from Jan. 1, 1963 through Dec. 31, 1994
Means of Verifying Employment DOE EE-5 Employment Verification Form Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) The Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR) Corporate Verifiers SSA wage data Other Sources Including affidavits and records or documents created by state and federal agencies 12
Sandia National Laboratories SEC Claim Review Claims reviewed for SEC inclusion: Pending dose reconstruction at time of SEC class Previously denied for POC <50% Potentially affected cases identified – tracked to resolution Goals for each new SEC class to prioritize SEC acceptance 13
Eligible Covered Employees DOE contractor or subcontractor employees Does NOT include DOE, AWE, and BV workers Eligible Survivors Surviving Spouse Employee’s Children, if no surviving spouse, and if at the time of the employee’s death the child was: Under the age of 18 Under the age of 23 and a full-time student, continuously enrolled in an educational institution since age 18 Any age if medically incapable of self support Part E: Illness from Toxic Exposure
Part E: Means of Verifying Toxic Exposure • DOL Resource Centers • Occupational History Questionnaires (OHQ) • Site Exposure Matrices (SEM) • Identifies toxic substances related to labor categories, processes, buildings, and major incidents • Website available at www.sem.dol.gov • DOE Document Acquisition Request (DAR) • Claimant Records
Part E: Employee Impairment • Determination of % permanent whole person impairment due to covered illness • AMA’s Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, 5th Edition • $2,500 awarded for each % of impairment
Part E: Employee Wage Loss • Medical evidence must show decreased capacity to work • Employee Compensation: • Any year <50% of the pre-disability annual wage = $15,000 compensation • Any year > 50% but <75% of the pre-disability annual wage = $10,000 compensation
Benefits 18
Decision Process • Recommended Decision – District Office • Preliminary determination • Cover letter, decision, and rights to object (oral hearing/review of written record) • Final Decision – Final Adjudication Branch (FAB) • Affirmation of recommend decision or remand based on objection/independent review • Claimant Rights – Reconsideration, Reopening, & District Court
Claimant Responsibilities • File Claim • Collect/Copy/Submit relevant records • Respond to information requests • Talk to co-workers – get affidavits • Seek assistance if you need help – call Resource Center • Review decision and information for appeal
Claimant Resources • Resource Centers – 11 locations • Espanola Resource Center toll free number: (866) 272-3622 • District Offices – 4 locations • Seattle District Office toll free number: (888) 805-3401 • DEEOIC web site • http://www.dol.gov/owcp/energy/ • General program information • SEM website • Forms • Sample decisions