Former employees of General Atomics in La Jolla will now be entitled to compensation and benefits if they became sick as a result of working in the nuclear weapons industry.
The U.S. Labor Department made the announcement Wednesday extending what’s called Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA) benefits to people who worked at the La Jolla facility from 1960 through 1969.
Workers may have been exposed to radioactive and toxic substances and incurred illnesses as a result.
Survivors of qualified workers may be entitled to benefits as well.
Former workers diagnosed of 22 specific cancers may receive presumption of causation under the program, officials said.
So far, more the $18 million in compensation and medical benefits has been paid to 159 General Atomics workers.
More than $10.9 billion has been paid nationwide.
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For additional information about the new General Atomics SEC or to schedule an appointment for claim-filing assistance, contact the department’s California Resource Center at 866-606-6302.
