Politics & Government

Do the Feds Owe You Nuke Compensation Money?

If you've worked at one of Connecticut's nuclear facilities, you may be eligible for compensation.

Hundreds of thousands of US citizens have worked to build America’s nuclear defense system. And as time has gone on, we have come to understand more and more about the sometimes-fatal illnesses that can be caused by working in nuclear facilities.

The Department of Labor has already handed out $26.8 million in compensation to 250 Connecticut workers, Hartfordbusiness.com reports. But now the DOL believes workers and their families in Connecticut could be entitled to much more.

Exposure to nuclear products is understood to cause conditions from chest pains to cancer. "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.

Find out what's happening in Naugatuckwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

On June 19 the Department of Labor will hold a town hall meeting at the Courtyard by Marriott Hartford-Cromwell, 4 Sebethe Drive, in Cromwell. The meeting will explain the medical benefits and lump-sum compensation available under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA), which was passed in 2000.

Anyone interested in filing a claim can also contact the U.S. labor agency's New York Resource Center at 800-941-3943.

Find out what's happening in Naugatuckwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Did you work at any of Connecticut’s nuclear covered facilities? We'd love to hear from you in the Comments.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here