Sick nuclear workers getting claims help at meetings

[Guest guest]

Sick nuclear workers getting claims help at meetings

 

 

http://www.wate.com/Global/story.asp?S=2855578

 

January 25, 2005

 

OAK RIDGE (WATE) -- The Department of Labor held a town hall meeting

Tuesday to answer questions about the government's compensation

program for sick nuclear workers. Two more were held Wednesday.

 

The workers, or survivors or deceased workers who were covered, will

also be able to get help with their claims. For online resources from

the Labor Department,

 

In October 2004, the Labor Department became responsible for the part

of the compensation program that provides money and medical benefits

to workers who have health problems from toxic chemicals.

 

Janet Michel worked in the pollution prevention program for only 18

months. " I left work there in December 1996 with cyanide, nickle and

mercury poisoning. "

 

Michel didn't work in the most contaminated places. Those had barrels

filled with toxic chemicals. The insulation surrounding the pipes was

made of asbestos. That job was left for her friend, Ann Orick, and

hundreds like her.

 

Orick couldn't make it to the meeting Tuesday and was too sick to talk

with 6 News on camera. She's recovering from another stomach surgery.

 

Orick's husband also got sick working in the program. He's been

compensated $150,000 from the government. But the couple has been

forced to sell their home to pay their medical bills.

 

Michel and Orick are advocates for sick workers. They've marched to

Washington, testified in front of Congress and gotten some results

such as pushing the government to pay sick workers. " We've made over

$1 billion in payments and compensation in medical benefits to date, "

Michel says.

 

However, after nearly a decade neither woman has gotten money for her

own illness. " In my particular case, I'm not 100 percent impaired in

terms of the AMA guidelines, " Michel says. " I mean, I can still feed

myself. I can still get up and walk around but I'm 100 percent disabled. "

 

6 News tried to ask the Department of Energy if their employees are

aware of the possible dangers but the calls haven't been returned.

 

Michel says if you work for the DOE now, bring your own drinking water

and get checked by a doctor if you're ill.

 

More than 12,000 people from across the country have filed claims.

About 5,000 are from Tennessee. Of those 5,000, only 21 have been paid.

 

The government plans to eventually pay about $130 million.

 

The checks to surviving family members of sick workers started coming

out in January.

 

On January 10th, Sen. Lamar Alexander and the assistant secretary of

labor presented a $125,000 check to Christine Case. Her husband, Wayne

Wallace, died of kidney failure after being exposed to mercury while

helping build a hydrogen bomb in the 1950's.

 

Wednesday had two sessions at the American Museum of Science & Energy

on Tulane Avenue. The last one is at 6:00 p.m.

 

Workers who need help filling out claim forms may schedule

appointments after the meetings or by calling toll-free (866)-481-0411.

 

The Oak Ridge claims office is at the Jackson Plaza Office Complex at

800 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Suite C-103. The office has been open since 2001.

 

6 News Anchor/Reporter Yvonne Nava and Reporter Shasta Clark

contributed to this report.