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The DOE Office of Worker Advocacy was established in 2001 with the passage of P.L. 106‑398: Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA) of 2000. This program offers assistance to DOE workers and their families who believe they or a deceased relative developed a disease from exposure to hazardous materials while working at a DOE facility. If they are eligible, the worker or surviving relative can file an application and have their case reviewed by an independent panel of three physicians. When a physician panel makes its determination on a case, the panel's report is sent to the applicant. If the panel's decision is positive (i.e., the worker's condition was related to work at a DOE facility), the applicant can include the report with a claim for state worker’s compensation benefits.
The increasing awareness of the program is reflected in the growing number of applications arriving at the office every day. As a result, the Office of Worker Advocacy is working harder than ever to support our former workers and their families. With a team of seasoned Case Managers and Occupational Physicians providing support, the office prides itself on its ability to interact one on one with each applicant, providing a personal touch.
The site contains application forms for former workers and their surviving relatives, as well as instructions on applying. Other resources, such as relevant laws and rules, DOE facility information, and more statistics can be found there as well.
Additionally, the Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) decides appeals under the Physician Panel Rule. The rule provides a process to determine whether a DOE contractor employee has an illness that arose out of and in the course of employment by a DOE contractor and exposure to a toxic substance at a DOE facility.
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