Who Can Receive Benefits Under the EEOICPA?

Under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA), eligible employees may receive compensation if they are suffering from beryllium disease. But who are the eligible employees and how much do they get paid?

Benefits.gov points out that there are two benefits programs under the EEOICPA.

Part B

Part B provides compensation and medical benefits to employees who were exposed to beryllium at a covered Department of Energy facility or a covered beryllium vendor. The employee must have medical evidence to support a diagnosis of radiogenic cancer, chronic silicosis, beryllium sensitivity, or chronic beryllium disease. The employee’s survivors may also qualify for benefits.

Under Part B, employees or their survivors may receive a lump sum of up to $150,000 and medical expenses. If an employee was determined to be eligible for compensation under section 5 of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, he or she may receive a lump sum of $50,000 and medical benefits.

Part E

Part E provides benefits to Department of Energy contractors or subcontractors whose exposure at a covered Department of Energy facility was “at least as likely as not” a significant factor in causing, contributing to, or aggravating one of the covered diseases. An employee of a beryllium vendor is not eligible for benefits under Part E, but uranium minors, millers, and or transporters may be eligible. The employee’s survivors may qualify for benefits.

Under Part E, eligible employees or their survivors may receive payments of up to $250,000 plus medical expenses. The amount paid is based on the level of the employee’s impairment and the years of qualified wage loss related to the illness.