9/11 Ground Zero Participant Claims
The September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center towers were a truly historical event with catastrophic global consequences that reverberate to this day. But those who responded to the attacks, rescued victims trapped beneath the rubble, and cleaned up the dust and debris that littered the surrounding streets are all too often forgotten. All participants in the Ground Zero rescue, recovery, and cleanup efforts in the year following the attacks have been and continue to be at risk of developing severe and debilitating respiratory, gastrointestinal, and psychological conditions as a result of their exposure to that environment, and many have already developed these conditions.
The state legislature added new provision of the New York Workers’ Compensation Law, Article 8-A, specifically to cover workers and even volunteers who participated in post-9/11 rescue, recovery, or cleanup efforts between September 11, 2001 and September 12, 2002 in areas of Lower Manhattan south of Canal Street and west of Pike Street, the Fresh Kills landfill in Staten Island, the New York City morgue or the temporary morgue locations on the west side of Manhattan, or barges travelling between the west side of Manhattan and the Fresh Kills landfill in Staten Island.
Whereas injured workers in New York typically must file a workers’ compensation claim within two years after the date of their accident, Article 8-A dispenses with the two-year statute of limitations for any 9/11 rescue, recovery, and cleanup participant who has properly registered as such with the Workers’ Compensation Board. Given that many of the medical conditions that such participants are at risk of developing take many years to develop, this is only fair.
The New York State Workers’ Compensation Law entitles qualifying 9/11 rescue, recovery, and cleanup workers and volunteers to the following if they develop medical or psychological complications as a result of their participation in that effort:
• Medical treatment paid for by the workers' compensation insurance carrier.
• Compensation for all injures and illnesses found to be related to their participation.
• Reimbursement of expenses related to the injury, such as traveling to doctors, prescription costs and other injury-related necessities.
Fighting for workers' compensation can seem like a very complicated process. But it doesn't have to be! With a skilled lawyer on your side, the process could be a lot easier.
If you have developed respiratory, gastrointestinal, psychological, or other types of injuries or illnesses as a result of your participation in post-9/11 rescue, recovery, or cleanup activities, contact Geoffrey Schotter, Esq. to review your case (347) 413-9014.
The state legislature added new provision of the New York Workers’ Compensation Law, Article 8-A, specifically to cover workers and even volunteers who participated in post-9/11 rescue, recovery, or cleanup efforts between September 11, 2001 and September 12, 2002 in areas of Lower Manhattan south of Canal Street and west of Pike Street, the Fresh Kills landfill in Staten Island, the New York City morgue or the temporary morgue locations on the west side of Manhattan, or barges travelling between the west side of Manhattan and the Fresh Kills landfill in Staten Island.
Whereas injured workers in New York typically must file a workers’ compensation claim within two years after the date of their accident, Article 8-A dispenses with the two-year statute of limitations for any 9/11 rescue, recovery, and cleanup participant who has properly registered as such with the Workers’ Compensation Board. Given that many of the medical conditions that such participants are at risk of developing take many years to develop, this is only fair.
The New York State Workers’ Compensation Law entitles qualifying 9/11 rescue, recovery, and cleanup workers and volunteers to the following if they develop medical or psychological complications as a result of their participation in that effort:
• Medical treatment paid for by the workers' compensation insurance carrier.
• Compensation for all injures and illnesses found to be related to their participation.
• Reimbursement of expenses related to the injury, such as traveling to doctors, prescription costs and other injury-related necessities.
Fighting for workers' compensation can seem like a very complicated process. But it doesn't have to be! With a skilled lawyer on your side, the process could be a lot easier.
If you have developed respiratory, gastrointestinal, psychological, or other types of injuries or illnesses as a result of your participation in post-9/11 rescue, recovery, or cleanup activities, contact Geoffrey Schotter, Esq. to review your case (347) 413-9014.
