Parker Waichman LLP Applauds Lawmakers’ Efforts to Reauthorize the Zadroga Act
Port Washington, New York (PRWEB) September 19, 2014 -- Parker Waichman LLP, a national personal injury law firm that has spent many years fighting to ensure that the heroes of 9/11 are never forgotten, applauds lawmakers’ efforts to reauthorize the Zadroga Act, which would continue programs providing medical treatment and compensation to 9/11 heroes for another 25 years. According to a press release issued on September 17, 2014 by Senator Gillibrand and Congressional members Carolyn Maloney, Jerrold Nadler, and Peter King, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act was introduced nearly a week after the 13th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks.
In 2010, Congress passed the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act to provide compensation, medical monitoring, and treatment to men, women, and children who were injured or became ill due to the 9/11 attacks, the release states. The Zadroga Act reopened the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF), which provides compensation to WTC survivors who became ill after being exposed to the toxic dust at Ground Zero. The Zadroga Act also established the World Trade Center Health Program, which currently provides medical treatment to more than 30,000 first responders nationwide. A number of first responders have been treated for illnesses such as asthma, obstructive pulmonary disease, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The release emphasizes that the WTC Health Program is a vital aspect of providing care to 9/11 survivors, especially considering the rise in 9/11-linked cancer diagnoses in recent years. Exposure to 9/11 toxins is associated with more than 60 types of cancer.
The date of expiration for the WTC Health Program and VCF are October 2015 and October 2016, respectively, the release says. Reauthorizing the bill would allow these critical programs to continue for another 25 years through 2041.
According to Parker Waichman LLP, it is vital to reauthorize the Zadroga Act. “As a firm that has never stopped supporting our 9/11 heroes, we applaud the introduction of the bill,” said Matthew J. McCauley, Senior Litigation Counsel at Parker Waichman LLP. “Reauthorizing the Zadroga Act would help numerous 9/11 survivors and their families cope with illness and injuries related to the attacks.”
In the release, Senator Gillibrand stated that “So just as our first responders and survivors worked hard to pass the 9/11 health bill in 2010, tirelessly walking the halls of Congress week after week, month after month, and year after year, we will do everything in our power to get this new legislation passed and signed into. But it shouldn’t have to take another ‘Christmas Miracle’ for Congress to do the right thing. It should simply take listening to these heroes and reflecting on 9/11 and about who we are as a nation.”
Parker Waichman LLP, which worked alongside Ground Zero first responders and their advocates to ensure passage of the Zadroga Act, vows to continue its efforts to ensure these heroes receive all of the Zadroga Act compensation they need and deserve.
If you or a loved one are eligible for compensation under the Zadroga Act, and would like assistance with your claim, please visit Parker Waichman's Zadroga Act claims page at yourlawyer.com or call 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636).
Gary Falkowitz, Parker Waichman LLP, http://yourlawyer.com, +1 (800) 529-4636, [email protected]
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