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Showing posts sorted by date for query zadroga. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by date for query zadroga. Sort by relevance Show all posts

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Hillary Clinton calls for re-authorization of Zadroga Act


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Today's post is shared from nydailynews.com

Fresh off her appearance in Iowa -- where she dropped several hints about her future presidential ambitions in front of a crowd of more than 6,000 Democrats -- Hillary Clinton looked back as she spoke to a smaller group of labor leaders Tuesday night in Manhattan and called for the re-authorization of the Zadroga Act.

Speaking to about 150 labor leaders at the teachers union headquarters, Clinton called for the re-authorization of the 2010 legislation, which compensates 9/11 first responders for health problems cause by working at the World Trade Center site after the attacks.

“This is like a homecoming,” Clinton said.

She hailed labor leaders as her “comrades in arms” for helping to pass the law four years ago, legislation Clinton sponsored when she served in the Senate.

“It was a scene out of Dante’s Inferno,” she said, recalling a visit to Ground Zero after the World Trade Center attacks. “It was as close to Hell as I can imagine any of us experiencing…. It was organized labor that came to the forefront and began working with me and others. Union pension funds became the only source of help for people in need.”

The Zadroga Act is set to expire in 2016.

“There are thousands who still need help,” she said. “All this work is at risk unless Congress acts.... The price of passage was a so-called sunset clause and...


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Sunday, September 7, 2014

9-11 Museum nixes exhibit features that dispute link between Ground Zero dust and cancer, health issues

Today's post is shared for nydailynews.com

All three of the panels that upset first responders have now been changed.

The 9/11 Museum has replaced three panels that cast doubt on the link between toxic dust around Ground Zero and the subsequent health problems of thousands who worked near the site after the attack.

Last month the Daily News reported complaints about the panels by groups that represent 9/11 first responders and survivors.

Under the Zadroga Act, enacted in 2011, tens of thousands of people have received federal aid for health problems, including cancer, that doctors have certified as linked to toxic smoke and dust that lingered in the air after the attack.

But a museum exhibit titled "After 9/11" treated the connection between the air and the health issues as less certain than the federal government does.

One panel referred to the Zadroga Act as providing aid for "for those with health conditions claimed to be related" to the attack. Another said federal and city officials faced criticism for "allegedly" providing bad information about the air quality in lower Manhattan. A third panel cited a finding that dust around the site was "hazardous."The museum has been criticized by advocates for survivors and the families of victims.

A museum official said Thursday that the institution quietly replaced the offending panels in recent weeks. The new panels are similar but exclude the phrases "claimed to be" and "allegedly."

The word...

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Jon L. Gelman of Wayne NJ is the author of NJ Workers’ Compensation Law (West-Thompson-Reuters) and co-author of the national treatise, Modern Workers’ Compensation Law (West-Thompson-Reuters). For over 4 decades the Law Offices of Jon L Gelman  1.973.696.7900  jon@gelmans.com  have been representing injured workers and their families who have suffered occupational accidents and illnesses.

Friday, September 5, 2014

9/11 Responders Urged To Register For Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Next week marks the anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy. Many workers' who may be entitled to benefits have not yet enrolled. Today's post is shared from cbslocal.com

Elected officials and union activists are urging Sept. 11 responders to sign up for New York workers’ compensation benefits.
They say that those who worked around the World Trade Center site should enroll with the state Workers’ Compensation Board.
Next Thursday, the 13th anniversary of the terror attacks, is the deadline to sign up.
The officials said even people who are not sick should register because it preserves their right to get benefits in the future if they do fall ill.
It also is open to workers who live in other states.
Rep. Jerrold Nadler said that “those who have paid such a high price” deserve compensation.
“This does not mean that you are injured or ill now, but it does preserve your ability to file a claim later,” Nadler said.
Nadler was joined at Friday’s City Hall press conference by representatives of several unions, including DC 37 and the Laborers Local 78.
As WCBS 880’s Jim Smith reported, Reverend Bill Minson spent months in and around ground zero working as a chaplain. He’s not sick now, but knows the air was like a ticking time bomb.
“An incubation period for many of these cancers and things can’t be calculated,” he said.
...
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Wednesday, September 3, 2014

GAO Report on Adding Cancers to WTC Covered Conditions

Next week marks the anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the United States including the World Trade Center. The program for medical surveillance and compensation continues to proceed to benefit first responders and those in the immediate area of the New York City attack on 9-11.
Today's post is shared from cdc.gov
The World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program was established by the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 (Act), and is administered by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The Program provides medical monitoring and treatment at no cost for enrolled responders at the WTC and related sites in New York City, Pentagon, and Shanksville, PA. It also provides services for enrolled survivors who were in the New York City disaster area. Health conditions, such as types of cancer, can be added to the list of WTC-related covered conditions after a valid petition has been received and the scientific evidence for causation by exposures at the attack sites is analyzed.
In September of 2011, the Administrator of the WTC Health Program, Dr. John Howard, received a petition from nine New York members of Congress asking him to consider adding cancer to the List. The Administrator reviewed the petition and requested the advice of the WTC Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee (STAC), which provided recommendations to add specific types of cancer. After reviewing the STAC’s recommendation, evaluating the available science, and considering public comment on a proposed rule, in 2012 the Administrator published a final rule which added certain types of cancer to the List and explained the approach used to add the types of cancer.
Recently, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) evaluated the World Trade Center Health Program’s approach to adding cancers to the List [see:http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-14-606External Web Site Icon]. The GAO found that the Administrator used a hazard-based, multiple-method approach to determine whether to add cancers to the WTCHP list of covered conditions for which treatment may be provided. Experts who participated in a meeting held by GAO indicated that the Administrator’s approach was reasonable but could be improved. The GAO reports:
  • According to these experts, a hazard-based approach focuses on identifying whether particular “hazards”—sources of potential harm—are associated with certain health conditions, and does not attempt to quantify the risks of developing those health conditions. The Administrator’s approach used four methods to determine whether there was an association between a September 11 exposure and a specific cancer, and thus, whether to add that cancer to the list.
  • The experts considered the approach reasonable given the WTCHP certification process for enrollees to obtain coverage for treatment for a condition on the list, the lack of data related to exposure levels and risks, and the use of similar approaches by previous federal compensation programs.
  • The experts indicated the approach could have been communicated more clearly. For example, the description of the approach in rulemaking did not clearly articulate how decisions would be made when evidence under one method supported adding a cancer type to the list, and evidence under a different method did not. The Administrator noted that this omission was an oversight. Since the Administrator plans to use the same approach in future cancer-related decision making, the absence of a clear description can lead to questions about the credibility and equity of the program.
  • According to the experts, an independent peer review process similar to that used in other federal compensation programs could improve the approach. According to the Administrator, this was not feasible due to time constraints imposed by law. A process through which an independent party assesses the validity of the information upon which decisions are being made and that rationales for decisions are clearly described could help ensure the credibility of the Administrator’s approach.

Monday, September 1, 2014

GM ignition switch compensation program receives more than 300 claims, including 107 death-related

Today's post was shared by Take Justice Back and comes from www.mlive.com

DETROIT, MI- The General Motors Co. ignition switch compensation program has received 309 claims through Monday, including 107 related to fatal accidents.
Camille S. Biros, of Feinberg Rozen LLP, which is overseeing the program for the Detroit-based automaker, said payments to eligible victims and their families are expected to be finalized by the end of September. She said the number of claims filed has no correlation to the amount of individuals expected to be paid through the program, which could cost GM hundreds of millions of dollars.
The voluntary compensation program was announced by GM and renowned compensation attorney Kenneth Feinberg in late-June. There is no financial cap on the program and everyone that meets stringent guidelines set by Feinberg are eligible for the program.
Feinberg Rozen started accepting claims Aug. 1. It will continue accepting claims through Dec. 31.
GM has linked the faulty ignition switches to at least 13 deaths and 54 crashes, but others, including victims' family members and lawyers, say the death toll is closer to 100. GM has said its numbers could increase based on Feinberg's findings because it only included those involved in front-end collisions.
Kenneth Feinberg, the independent claims administrator for the GM Ignition Compensation Program, announces the details of the program, including eligibility, scope, rules for the program, and timing of submitting claims, during a news...
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Thursday, August 14, 2014

WTC cleanup workers may renew health claims -U.S. appeals court

Today's post is shared from Reuters.com
A federal appeals court in New York has revived claims by 211 cleanup workers who sought compensation for their alleged exposure to toxic contaminants in buildings near the World Trade Center site after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday said a lower court judge erred in dismissing the claims, after the workers had answered "none" when asked if they had been "diagnosed" with ailments, injuries or diseases.
These workers were employed by cleaning companies hired by Verizon Communications Inc, Brookfield Properties and dozens of other owners of downtown Manhattan buildings damaged or destroyed in the attacks, the court said.
"The fact that plaintiffs answered 'none' to the interrogatory was an insufficient basis, by itself, for a blanket conclusion that all 211 plaintiffs could not establish their claims against defendants as a matter of law," Circuit Judge Denny Chin wrote for a three-judge 2nd Circuit panel.
Thursday's decision overturned an August 2012 dismissal of the claims by U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein in Manhattan, who oversees much of the Sept. 11 litigation.
Verizon spokesman Bob Varettoni had no immediate comment. Lawyers for the phone company and the other defendants did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
"I applaud the 2nd Circuit for having the ability and desire to do the right thing," Marc Bern, a lawyer for the workers, said in...
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Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Workplace Exposures and the National Action Plan for Infertility



Infertility is a significant health issue in the U.S. as well as globally.  In addition to the large health and fiscal impacts of infertility, the inability to conceive can be devastating to individuals or couples. Research suggest that between 12% and 18% of couples struggle with infertility,[1] which may be caused by a wide variety of factors including genetic abnormalities, aging, acute and chronic diseases, treatments for certain conditions, behavioral factors, and exposure to environmental, occupational, and infectious hazards. However, many questions about infertility remain unanswered.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released the National Public Health Action Plan for the Detection, Prevention and Management of Infertility. This plan was created in consultation with many governmental and nongovernmental partners.  NIOSH contributed to this Action Plan, specifically related to reducing exposures to occupational agents that can harm reproductive health and fertility in women and men.
Environmental and occupational hazards account for an unknown proportion of infertility cases, but are known to affect reproductive health and fertility in women and men, and suspected of causing declining human sperm quality in industrialized countries.[2], [3], [4] An evaluation conducted in developed countries in the 1980s by the World Health Organization (WHO) found that 37% of infertility cases were attributable to female factors, 8% were attributable to...
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Sunday, July 27, 2014

Report: Number Of Ground Zero Cancer Cases Skyrocketing

Today's post is shared from CBSNewYork.com
There has been a dramatic increase in the number of 9/11 rescuers and responders with cancer in the past year, according to a published report.
The New York Post says that Mount Sinai Hospital’s World Trade Center Health Program reported 1,140 cancer cases last year. Now the number is up to more than 2,500.

Among the cancers being diagnosed at a much higher rate than the general population: prostate cancer, thyroid cancer, leukemia and multiple myeloma.
The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund is expected to receive more claims by the Oct. 14 deadline. So far, there are 1,145 claims listing cancer.
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Saturday, April 12, 2014

Nebraska Supreme Court: Workers' comp includes PTSD, drug treatment after store shooting

Today's post about "PTSD" is shared from omaha.com

LINCOLN — The two armed men robbing Gen-X Clothing in June 2011 warned store manager Matthew Kim not to report the crime.
He reported it anyway, leading to the arrest of the two men.
One robber's brother showed up at the 76th and Cass Streets store two weeks later and shot Kim 12 times to keep him from testifying. The brother followed up with telephone threats against Kim, his mother and his son.
Kim testified anyway, helping send all three men to prison.
Workers' compensation covered his hospital and medical bills and paid temporary disability benefits during his physical recovery.
But Gen-X and its workers' compensation insurance company balked at paying for treatment when Kim developed post-traumatic stress disorder after the crime, leading to a severe drug and alcohol dependency.
On Friday, the Nebraska Supreme Court ruled against the Omaha clothing store and the insurer, Farmer's Truck Insurance Exchange.
The state high court ordered Gen-X and Farmer's to pay for Kim's inpatient chemical dependency treatment and his future medical expenses.
It also ordered them to continue paying him temporary disability benefits.
Dirk Block, an attorney for Kim, said his client was “very pleased and grateful” for the ruling. The decision means Kim will have a source of support while he continues his recovery, Block said.
“He's a pretty brave guy, to be treated this badly,” he said. “It's been very unfortunate that, in addition to having to face down...
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Related stories about PTSD:
4 hours ago
LINCOLN — The two armed men robbing Gen-X Clothing in June 2011 warned store manager Matthew Kim not to report the crime. He reported it anyway, leading to the arrest of the two men. One robber's brother showed up ...
Nov 27, 2013
Risks associated with employment are usually covered under Workers' Compensation claims. Assaults usually are traumatic in nature and having a component of psychological stress manifested in post traumatic stress ...
Feb 24, 2011
A recent study reveals that utility workers who were deployed at the World Trade Center (WTC) disaster site on 9/11 have an increased level of post traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) and depression. The study may ...
Sep 25, 2009
"Results from large epidemiologic studies suggest that probable posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the most common WTC-related health condition among exposed adults. Probable PTSD means that individuals scored ...

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

WTC P-11 Compensation Fund To Publish Procedure on How to Add Non-Cancer Conditions to List of Eligible Claims

The website of the 9-11 Claims Fund (Zadroga Act) indicates that on March 21, 2014 the Fund will post Policy and Procedures for Adding Non-Cancer Conditions To the List of WTC-Related Health Conditions (6 pages, 352 KB)
Issue Date: March 21, 2014


About this document: This document describes the process for adding non-cancer conditions to the list of WTC-related health conditions.

The document is not yet linked to the new policy and regulations but the listing indicates a roll of potential expansion for the Fund.

Related articles:
Feb 16, 2011
On January 2, 2011, President Obama signed the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act (“Zadroga Act”) providing a total of $4.3 billion in health benefits and financial compensation for victims, responders, and ...
Jul 09, 2013
On January 2, 2011, President Obama signed the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act (“Zadroga Act”) providing a total of $4.3 billion in health benefits and financial compensation for victims, responders, and .
Feb 24, 2011
The study may significantly increase the potential benefits that utility workers may obtain under the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act (“Zadroga Act”) providing a total of $4.3 billion in health benefits and ...
Jul 01, 2011
Signed into law in early January, the Zadroga Act provides sustained funding for the WTC Centers of Excellence and ensures that those facing 9/11-related health problems continue to receive monitoring and treatment ...

….
Jon L. Gelman of Wayne NJ is the author NJ Workers’ Compensation Law (West-Thompson) and co-author of the national treatise, Modern Workers’ Compensation Law (West-Thompson). For over 4 decades theLaw Offices of Jon L Gelman jon@gelmans.com have been representing injured workers and their families who have sufferedoccupational accidents and illnesses.

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

The World Trade Center Health Fund Will Seek Reimbursement of Workers' Compensation Payments

The World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program established under the 9-11 Health Claim Program (Zadroga Act) will identify and seek recoup funds from workers’ compensation when available. The program imposes duties on Responders, Clinical Centers of Excellence, Workers’ Compensation Insurers and other employers providing illness and injury benefits to Responders.

The WTC Health Program is delaying the effective date for the component of the policy and procedures relating to recoupment from lump sum settlements of workers’ compensation cases. The policy was originally scheduled to apply to any lump sum settlement entered into after September 1, 2013. The recoupment policy will now apply to proposed settlement agreements filed with the New York Workers’ Compensation Board (NY WCB) on or after October 1, 2013. Any proposed settlement filed with the NY WCB on or after October 1, 2013, and which releases an employer/insurer’s liability for any future medical expenses must be reviewed by the WTC Health Program or the parties may be financially responsible for treatment expenses. The effective date for the policy as it relates to active workers’ compensation cases where the claimant has not filed a lump sum settlement remains September 1, 2013.

General Recoupment Scheme

1. The WTC Health Program will seek to recoup from medical providers of the WTC
Health Program and from WC insurers. The Program does not anticipate that it will be
necessary to seek recoupment directly from individual WTC responders, unless the
Responder accepts a lump sum settlement from WC and the settlement either releases
or has the effect of releasing the WC insurer from its obligation to pay future medical
expenses. 42 U.S.C. § 1395y(b)(2)(B)(iii) incorporated in 42 U.S.C. § 300mm-41(b)(1).

2. If the primary payer seeks to shift costs onto the WTC Health Program, and the
Program cannot recover WC payments voluntarily, it may seek double damages from
the payer in a recoupment action.

This means that if either a medical provider or a Responder receives payment from a WC insurer for services already paid for by the WTC Health Program, the Program has a duty to reduce further payments or recoup funds from that medical provider who received funds from the WC insurer.42 U.S.C. § 300mm-41(b)(1).

3. If evidence suggests that a WC insurer has improperly shifted WC costs onto the WTC
Health Program, the Program may recommend that a recoupment action be filed
against an insurer, even if the insurer has already paid the claim. 42 U.S.C. § 1395y(b)(2)(B)(iii) incorporated in 42 U.S.C. § 300mm-41(b)(1).

Click here to read the entire WTC Health Fund Policy Statement
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Jon L. Gelman of Wayne NJ is the author NJ Workers’ Compensation Law (West-Thompson) and co-author of the national treatise, Modern Workers’ Compensation Law (West-Thompson). For over 4 decades the Law Offices of Jon L Gelman 1.973.696.7900 jon@gelmans.com have been representing injured workers and their families who have suffered occupational accidents and illnesses.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

World Trade Center Fund Now Covers Myeloid Malignancies

Beginning on February 1, 2014, the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program began considering blood or bone marrow disorders of the myeloid line to be slow-growing blood cancers. Accordingly, they will be considered WTC-related health conditions, making them available for WTC Health Program medical treatment services for eligible members.

These cancers had been considered non-malignant by the Administrator because they were referred to as “pre-leukemic” hematopoietic disorders in the medical literature. Recent scientific advances, however, characterize these “pre-leukemic” myeloid neoplasms as slow-growing blood cancers, and authoritative scientific sources now consider them to be malignant myeloid neoplasms.

After receiving a request from the WTC Clinical Centers of Excellence to review certain myeloid disorders in terms of their status as malignancies, the WTC Health Program has determined that, in addition to types of leukemias, these myeloid malignancies are eligible for coverage by the WTC Health Program as WTC-related health conditions.

The group of myeloid malignancies includes the following health conditions:

(1) Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDSs);

(2) Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs);

(3) Myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasms (MDS/MPN); and

(4) Myeloid malignancies associated with eosinophilia and abnormalities of growth factor receptors derived from platelets or fibroblasts.

On January 2, 2010, President Barack Obama signed the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act establishing the World Trade Health Program and extends and expands eligibility for compensation under the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001.

For over 3 decades the Law Offices of Jon L. Gelman 1.973.696.7900 jon@gelmans.com have been representing injured workers and their families who have suffered asbestos related disease. Please contact our office if you require assistance in filing a claim under the newly enacted James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

The World Trade Center Registry Opened Again to Register 9-11 Workers

On November 13, 2013, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed significant protections for World Trade Center workers into the Workers' Compensation Law under Article 8-A. The legislation extends and enhances workers' compensation eligibility and benefits for World Trade Center workers. Most notably, the legislation reopens the World Trade Center Registry; extends the deadline period for filing Form WTC-12, Registration of Participation in World Trade Center Rescue, Recovery and/or Clean-up Operations, with a deadline to September 11, 2014; reopens previously time-barred World Trade Center claims and considers them timely; and adds qualifying conditions to the law.

Reopening of Registry and Extension of Filing Period for Form WTC-12

The World Trade Center Registry, which preserves workers' compensation rights for those who performed rescue, recovery, and clean-up operations after the World Trade Center attacks, is now reopened and will remain open until September 11, 2014. Previously, any claims for which the associated Form WTC-12 was received after September 13, 2010 were time-barred. Those workers were not entitled to benefits. These claims will now be reopened and considered timely.
Workers who participated in the rescue, recovery, and clean-up operations of the World Trade Center between September 11, 2001 and September 11, 2002, should promptly register their service participation with the NYS Workers' Compensation Board (Board). This registration will preserve workers'...
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Jon L. Gelman of Wayne NJ is the author NJ Workers’ Compensation Law (West-Thompson) and co-author of the national treatise, Modern Workers’ Compensation Law (West-Thompson). For over 4 decades the Law Offices of Jon L Gelman  1.973.696.7900  jon@gelmans.com  have been representing injured workers and their families who have suffered occupational accidents and illnesses.

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Powerful New Videos Encourage Those Who Qualify to Seek Care through the World Trade Center Health Program

Many victims of the 9-11 World Trade Center terorist attack have not yet sought medical care nor filed a claim for benefits. Today's post was shared by Safe Healthy Workers and comes from blogs.cdc.gov


Glenn, a retired New York City police officer, shares how the World Trade Center Health Program helped him regain his health.

Though the September 11th attacks were over a decade ago, thousands of people who were in the affected areas continue to experience physical and mental health symptoms as a result of their experience in the days, months, and even years following 9/11. They may not recognize that some cancers, a chronic cough, difficulty sleeping, or frequent heartburn that they— or their children— experience could be a 9/11 related health condition.

NIOSH is teaming up with our community partners to spread the word that help is available through the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program. Created by the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010, the WTC Health Program provides medical monitoring and treatment for responders at the World Trade Center and related sites in New York City, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, PA, and for survivors who were in the New York City disaster area. All care for covered conditions is provided at no out of pocket costs for those who qualify.

The WTC Health Program has helped thousands regain their health following the September 11th terrorist attacks. This year the Program is launching a digital campaign to make sure that those who may qualify for care, but are not enrolled, get the help they need and deserve. The campaign features videos of members telling their stories. Both responders and survivors describe...
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Friday, September 20, 2013

Feds add prostate cancer to list of 9/11 health-related conditions

Today's post was shared by Pasternack Tilker Ziegler Walsh Stanton & Romano and comes from www.nydailynews.com

DIGITAL IMAGE

Prostate cancer has been added to the list of World Trade Center-related health conditions.

The federal Department of Health and Human Services added the cancer to its register Thursday after being petitioned by the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, the city police officers union.

The union cited a scientific study that found a 17% greater than expected rate of prostate cancer among first responders.

The addition will cost the WTC Health Program an estimated $3 million to $6 million a year.

“It’s a minor victory for the 9/11 community and a huge victory for those with prostate cancer,” said John Feal, who advocated for the Zadroga 9/11 health bill, named for NYPD officer James Zadroga, who died of respiratory problems following his rescue efforts at Ground Zero. Corinne Lestch

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Wednesday, September 4, 2013

9/11 Claim Fund Countdown To The October 3, 2013 Deadline

Zadroga 9/11 Claim Fund Countdown



"The Victims Compensation Fund (VCF) was originally established by Congress in 2001. It was designed to bring financial relief to those most devastated by the events of September 11, 2001. The original VCF provided compensation to eligible individuals who were physically injured as a result of the terrorist attacks and the beneficiaries and families of individuals killed as a result of the terrorist attacks. The original VCF operated from December 2001 until June 2004.
"On January 2, 2011, the President signed the Zadroga Act into law. Title II of the Zadroga Act amends the original 2001 Act and reopens the VCF. The new VCF expands the eligibility rules so that more individuals can now receive compensation. The new VCF now provides compensation to eligible individuals who were present at the crash sites or locations of debris removal from September 11, 2001 through May 30, 2002. (The original VCF provided compensation only for persons who were present in the 96 hours following the attacks).
"The new VCF will be open to receive claims for five years (beginning October 3, 2011). However, the deadline for filing your claim is two years after you learn of your physical harm. That means that if you knew about your harm before October 3, 2011, you must file your claim before October 3, 2013. If you learn of your physical harm after October 3, 2011, your deadline to file is two years after the date on which you learned of the harm. To meet this deadline, the VCF must receive your complete Registration Form within the relevant two-year window if you submit your claim online. If you choose to submit your claim in hardcopy, the VCF must receive your Eligibility Form, even if not complete, within the relevant two-year window. Congress appropriated $2.775 billion for the new VCF and authorized the VCF to distribute $875 million of that amount during the first five years of operations.
"Your participation in the VCF is voluntary. If you choose to make a claim with the VCF, you waive your right to bring a lawsuit to recover for any injuries you claim as a result of the attacks.
...
For over 4 decades the Law Offices of Jon L. Gelman  1.973.696.7900  jon@gelmans.com have been representing injured workers and their families who have suffered asbestos related disease. Please contact our office if you require assistance in filing a claim under the newly enacted James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.

Read more about the Zadroga 9/11 Health Claim Fund

Oct 19, 2012
The lawmakers wrote in a September 28th letter to OMB Acting Director Zients, “[W]e all agree that applying sequestration to these two programs [established by the James Zadroga 9-11 Health and Compensation Act] does ...
Feb 16, 2011
On January 2, 2011, President Obama signed the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act (“Zadroga Act”) providing a total of $4.3 billion in health benefits and financial compensation for victims, responders, and ...
Jun 21, 2011
"The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 reopens the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 to provide compensation to those who were physically injured or who died in the immediate ...
Feb 24, 2011
The study may significantly increase the potential benefits that utility workers may obtain under the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act (“Zadroga Act”) providing a total of $4.3 billion in health benefits and ...