Recent Blog Posts

Though she wasn’t a firefighter, police officer or EMT, Marya Columbia described herself as a “responder” when applying for the World Trade Center Health Program. She qualified for benefits as a survivor because her Lower Manhattan apartment was in the designated exposure zone. However, that classification does not begin to describe Ms. Columbia’s contribution to […]

As a first responder, you are able to access monitoring from the WTC Health Program whether or not you are sick. Going to your yearly monitoring visits, even if you’re healthy now, is helpful from a research perspective and is also a great way to make sure that you get certified immediately should you develop […]

During the current health crisis and in these times of uncertainty, we would like to wish you a meaningful Easter. While social distancing may construct physical barriers between us and our loved ones, we hope that you are able to find ways to overcome these obstacles and connect with friends and family in other ways. […]

Absolutely. Both the WTC Health Program and the VCF will give you a chance to submit additional documents and testimony if your initial application is denied on the grounds that your proof of presence is not sufficient. In the case of a denial from the WTC Health Program, you should call the program and find […]

Barasch & McGarry would like to express its incredible gratitude and admiration for all of the first responders who are now risking their own safety to protect the people of New York City and beyond during this difficult time. It is with great privilege that the firm announces its donation of 15,000 N-95 safety masks […]

If you spent a lot of time in the WTC contamination zone on or after September 11th, 2001 but do not have a straightforward way to prove your presence, the Zadroga programs will still work with you. Maybe you volunteered regularly outside of a formal organization or attended regular meetings downtown. Perhaps you lived in […]