Carmel FDNY Firefighter Dies of 9/11-Related Illness

It is with great sadness that we at Barasch & McGarry acknowledge the passing in January of another brave 9/11 responder who succumbed to 9/11-related illness at all-too-young an age. The Journal News recently reported that Thomas John Kelly, 58, an FDNY firefighter for 17 years in the Bronx and a resident of Carmel, New York, passed away from throat cancer related to his time working at Ground Zero. Thomas Kelly leaves behind a loving wife and twin daughters.

Kelly had been off duty on September 11, 2001, and was preparing to buy a suit for an upcoming fire department dance, but he rushed to the World Trade Center after the attacks. He worked there throughout the day and continued in the rescue and recovery efforts for many months.

Kelly, like many recovery workers, almost immediately developed respiratory symptoms. He had to retire from FDNY in 2005 due to his illness. Thomas Lynch, president of the nonprofit retiree organization NYC Firefighters of Hudson Valley East, explained that many firefighters developed asthma — a career-ending condition — from their 9/11 recovery work. Eventually, Kelly developed throat cancer, one of the 68 cancers linked to the dust at Ground Zero.

As advocates for 9/11 responders and survivors, the attorneys of Barasch & McGarry are determined to continue our vigorous efforts to obtain compensation for eligible parties. If you have questions about your rights to Zadroga Act benefits, call us at [ln::phone] or contact our office online.