New York Politicians React to Zadroga Act Expiration

The James L. Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act expired at midnight on September 30, 2015, when lawmakers failed to pass an extension, and the portion of the law that compensates families of victims is set to expire next year. However, there is still enough money remaining in The World Trade Center Health Fund for the coming year.

Rep. Daniel Donovan, a Republican congressman whose district extends to Staten Island and Brooklyn, said that passing a permanent extension to fund medical expenses for 9/11 responders is the “top priority” of several federal lawmakers from New York: Sen. Chuck Schumer, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Rep. Peter King, and himself.

Sen. Schumer, a long-time supporter of the law, took to the Senate floor to lament Congressional inaction on the proposed extension. “When the towers came down and there was hellhole of twisted steel and smoldering plasterboard with our sisters and brothers trapped within, did the ironworkers and carpenters and laborers and steamfitters and all manner of others stop and say – ‘I have to check on that and get back to you.’? No. They rushed in before they were even asked. They did their duty. They did more than their duty. Many died. And many more are now suffering,” Schumer said.

And Sen. Gillibrand warned, “The health program officially expires tomorrow . . . these illnesses . . . will not expire.”

As mentioned above, the programs still have funds to operate, but you must act fast. To find out about your rights to 9/11 benefits and compensation, contact the personal injury attorneys who have recovered more money from the Victim Compensation Fund for their injured clients than any other law firm. Call Barasch & McGarry at [ln::phone] or contact our office online.