Former Cotter Corp. workers informed of benefits

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Former Cotter Corp. workers informed of potential benefits

By RACHEL ALEXANDER alexanderr@ canoncitydailyrecord.comcanoncitydailyrecord.com

Posted: 05/14/2013 09:47:37 PM MDT

Cold War Patriots representative Ron Elmlinger speaks at a town hall meeting for anyone who worked around uranium at the Cotter Uranium Mill Tuesday at the Garden Park High School. ( Jeff Shane/ Daily Record)

For those who have become ill after working at uranium mills or mines as haulers in the nuclear weapons industry, there are two federal government program that provide medial benefits.

Representatives from Cold War Patriots and the Killian & Davis law firm provided information Tuesday to former Cotter Corp. workers about how to take advantage of the Energy Employee Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act and the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act.

“All we do is try to help you,” said CWP outreach representative Ron Elmlinger said. “Our main goal is to help people understand these programs.”

CWP was organized is a nationwide nonprofit organization of nuclear weapons complex and uranium workers. The group provides information to workers and lobbies to improve programs nationwide.

“You were exposed to radiation and toxic substances for the soul purpose of keeping this country free,” Elmlinger said. “Everybody in here is proud of what they did. You were just as much a patriot as people fighting in Vietnam and World War II.”

Elmlinger explained the benefits provided by the RECA and EEOICPA programs, which include up to $150,000 and free medical care for qualified people.

In order to qualify for the programs, individuals must have worked in a uranium mine, mill or hauler for at least one year prior to Dec. 31, 1971. They must suffer from primary lung cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, pneumoconiosis, cor pulmonale, silicosis or a kidney illness (for millers and haulers only).

Jennifer McCall, of Killian & Davis, explained an amendment working its way through Congress that would, among other things, extend benefits to those who worked at mills and mines from 1972 to 1990.

“No law is perfect, and we want to continue making it better for you patriots,” Elmlinger said. “The (Department of Labor) and (Department of Justice) has taken the responsibility for putting you in harms way while you were being that patriot building our nuclear arsenal.”

Elmlinger and McCall emphasized that the process for the benefits is not easy and can be frustrating, but there are people available to provide assistance.

To reach Elmlinger, call 877-235-1511 or email [email protected]. To contact McCall, call 970-241-0707 or email [email protected].

Also provide information about in-home nursing services, which the government program will provide for, was Brittnie Munson of Professional Case Management.

For more information about the nursing services, call 888-886-2281, ext. 323, or email [email protected].