WTC Health Program • Victim Compensation Fund
Meet 3 More Barasch & McGarry Claim Administrators
David Carles was born and raised in Staten Island, NY and is a graduate of Alma College in Michigan. A lifelong athlete, David played baseball overseas. His career path changed when he became a full-time caretaker and advocate for his late brother, Mark. David’s story is inextricably woven with Mark’s, who passed away in February due to a rare liver cancer, Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma. The two were incredibly close, and great supporters of one another.
Mark was a long-distance runner, and he trained David to become a NYC marathoner. Mark was hospitalized with cancer when David ran the 2021 marathon but was determined to see his brother cross the finish line. With the true heart of a marathoner, and the help of the hospital and the NYPD, Mark was waiting at the finish line when David crossed it. The two brothers, through everything, always found a way to be there for one another.
When David began working at Barasch & McGarry, he knew his mission was to help patients and caregivers navigating the singular challenges a cancer diagnosis presents. He led the firm’s Client Relations Department which was created to aid people who are healthy but were exposed to 9/11 toxins. When he saw some patients struggling with the WTC Health Program process, he created a new role for himself to advocate for them.
In his current role as Claims Administrator, he helps our clients to gather the proof necessary to successfully file a claim with the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. David finds his work incredibly meaningful, and he approaches it with compassion, borne of his own experiences, and the dedication, care, and commitment he brings to everything he sets his mind to. We are indeed lucky to have him with our firm.
Leah, originally from Pearl River, NY, joined the firm as a Claim Administrator with high hopes of getting our first responders and survivors the best health care and compensation they deserve. For Leah, this is very personal as she lost her father, James Betso, a retired NYPD Police Officer, to 9/11 related cancer in 2015. She takes pride in her works and uses her dedication as a way to honor her father. Last year, Leah ran the NYC Marathon with the Tunnel to Towers Foundation to honor our fallen first responders. To Leah, it is a privilege to help and support the 9/11 community of first responders and survivors. Every day her passion and commitment to Barasch & McGarry’s mission grows.
Kevin has always felt a great sense of fulfillment and satisfaction helping those in need. As an NYC native whose father worked at the World Trade Center, Kevin felt that he had a moral obligation to assist responders, survivors, and their families, and ensure that they receive the healthcare and financial coverage that they so truly deserve. During his time at the firm, as a Client Relations Coordinator, Kevin helps responders and survivors by gathering the necessary information to enroll them in the World Trade center Health Program (WTCHP). The WTCHP provides treatment and monitoring for 9/11-related illnesses, and is a necessary step for our clients to receive financial assistance in the future. Kevin takes pride in being a friendly ear for any and all members of the 9/11 community, and always makes sure to exude compassion and empathy for those who need it most.
5 replies on “Meet 3 More Barasch & McGarry Claim Administrators”
Nice to put a face to some of our Great Defenders. Thank you Leah, Kevin, and David as well as to all others helping those in need. Let’s all remember to Celebrate Every Breath while we still can…
Dear Leah, So sorry to hear you lost your Dad due to 9/11. Now, I understand your passionate nature. Thanks So much for your help over the months , you have been a complete pleasure to work with, patient and caring. Explaining to the letter T what I needed to do. Thanks again,Much appreciation,
Helen Mango
Helen, Thank you for the kind words. I will pass them along to Leah.
On 9/11/2001 @ 8:30am, as I was leaving my office in WTC2, 48th floor, to go to the top of WTC 1 to pick up airline tixs for a business trip I was taking to Chicago the next day, the phone rang and I took the call. Thank God I did because I would have been at the point of impact with the first plane. When the first plane hit, I didn’t see what happened as my window faced south towards the Statue of Liberty, but I knew something was seriously wrong as, I came to learn later, bodies were blown into my window from the impact of the first plane. Everyone on my floor was in the stairwell within 5 minutes. When we reached the 20th floor, the PA announcement came that Tower 1 is closed and Tower 2 is secure. Unfortunately there were a number of people that went back to their offices. The second plane hit 2 WTC when we reached the 10th floor. I am not a small person but I was thrown to the other side of the stairwell. We were in darkness at that point as electricity was lost, there was smoke everywhere and you could hear crumbling from the upper floors. The last 10 floors took longer to descend than the previous 38 floors. What I saw in the lobby and when I finally got outside was indescribable with blood and ‘jumper’ bodies. I lost 295 coworkers and numerous friends. I was diagnosed with kidney cancer and had operations in February and March 2020.
Michael, Thank you so much for sharing your story. We’re so sorry to hear about your cancer diagnosis. Please give us a call at 800-210-7831 so we can discuss your options.