New York World Trade Center Registry Reopened

After passage of New York Workers Compensation Law Article 8-A in August 2006, the window of opportunity for September 11 workers and volunteers who were injured or became ill to register a potential claim was extended to September 2010. The World Trade Center Registry closed on September 13, 2010. 

While open, the World Trade Center Registry served as a resource for eligible claimants to preserve their claims to a presence in the September 11 emergency and aftermath in the event they eventually became ill as a result. 

Registration did not serve as a workers’ compensation claim but preserved the right to make a claim. When the registry was closed, workers and others who participated on that day and the months that followed were excluded from making a workers’ compensation claim. 

In November of this year, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed into law a measure that extends eligibility and right to workers’ compensation benefits for September 11 participants through the World Trade Center Registry. Important points include the following: 

• The new deadline for registration as a participant in the World Trade Center rescue, recovery or clean-up operations is September 11, 2014.
• The new legislation allows previously time-barred claims to be reopened for consideration for benefits.
• Workers who were unable to register previously should do so now by filling out Form WTC-12. The form preserves a claim if benefits should be needed because of injury or illness discovered in the future.
• Legislation has been revised to add an updated list of qualifying health conditions that includes respiratory and gastroesophageal illness, as well as cancers and other exposure-related disease. 

If you were a working participant in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks and resulting operations, preservation of your right to benefits in New York is important. When you have questions, speak with an attorney experienced with 9/11 claims and avenues of compensation.