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November 30‚ 2001 —
Former Rocketdyne employees and other southern California beryllium
workers recently attended meetings about a federal government program
to compensate those exposed to beryllium in the workplace. At the
time they worked for Rocketdyne‚ many employees labored without
adequate protection against beryllium dust or were not informed
about their beryllium exposure (see Rocketdyne
Failed to Disclose Beryllium Use).
Because Rocketdyne mainly handled projects for the Department of
Defense and the National Aeronautics & Space Administration rather
than for the Department of Energy (DOE)‚ the company’s former
employees might not be covered by the government compensation plan
(Los Angeles Daily News‚ October 24‚ 2001). The program
applies to DOE workers‚ atomic weapons workers‚ employees
of the DOE’s contractors and subcontractors‚ and to individuals
who worked for certain manufacturers supplying the DOE with beryllium.
Labor Groups Concerned About Composition
of Advisory Board
For those workers that do qualify for the government compensation program‚
the application process may still be tedious. Applicants are subject
to a review panel‚ and must take medical exams‚ obtain exposure
records‚ and fill out complex paperwork. At present‚ a “Worker
Advocacy Advisory Committee” advises the government about the
best way to reach workers‚ handle the application process‚ and implement
program goals. Labor groups have criticized the composition of the
group‚ saying that it should include more workers.
Amount of Compensation May Be Inadequate
Another cause for concern is that the government compensation program provides
a lump sum payment of only $150‚000 to an injured worker or the
worker’s family. However‚ verdict awards and court settlements
in chronic beryllium
disease cases have exceeded that amount‚ which may not be adequate
for the long—term care of the patient. See Government
to Compensate Injured Beryllium Workers—Is It Enough? for
more details about compensation and the Energy Employees Occupational
Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 (H.R. 5408).
Brayton Purcell is one
of the leading firms in the country representing victims of chronic
beryllium disease and other beryllium—related injuries. Please
feel free to contact us if
you have any questions about your own beryllium exposure or that
of a family member. |
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