9/11 first responders urged to register for compensation program

Lewiston Porter Sentinel, March 1, 2008

Important news of note for area first responders who were a part of the massive response effort following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York City.

The New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health informs that, for those who aided in the rescue, recovery or cleanup efforts of the World Trade Center ruins, it is important that you register no later than Aug. 13 with the New York state Workers’ Compensation Board. By registering, first responders of the World Trade Center attacks will preserve their right to file a workers’ compensation claim, in the event they become sick in the future.

“Without a second thought, tens of thousands of people rushed to help after the terrorist attacks. Thousands of others worked at the site in the year after 9/11 – and now, over six years later, many of those responders are becoming sick and some are dying,” says Alex Hogback of NYCOSH. “Under New York state’s Workers’ Compensation Law, most workers would be barred from filing a claim, two years after an injury.

“Last summer, the Workers’ Compensation Law was changed to allow workers and volunteers who worked in the World Trade Center’s vicinity to file a claim for workers’ compensation if they have or develop in the future a 9/11-related illness,” Hogback adds. “But to do so, rescue, recovery and cleanup workers and volunteers must register with the Workers’ Compensation Board no later than Aug. 13.”

Hogback says that, to date, only about 40,000 people of the more than 100,000 who qualify have registered.

“Workers and volunteers who engaged in rescue, recovery and cleanup work should register now. People who were exposed to the toxic dust or psychological trauma should protect their right to file a claim. If you are in doubt about whether or not you qualify, you should just register,” Hogback says.

The law applies to those who worked in lower Manhattan south of Canal or Pike streets, between Sept. 11, 2001, and Sept. 12, 2002. It also applies to those who worked at the Staten Island landfill, the barge operation between Manhattan and Staten Island or the New York City morgue (or any of the temporary morgues set up during that period).

For detailed information, first responders should contact their union, if applicable. They can also visit the NYCOSH Web site at www.nycosh.org, or call the toll-free, 24-hour hotline, 1-866-WTC-2556.

“Find out about registration requirements now, before it’s too late,” says Hogback.