Port Washington, New York (PRWEB) December 26, 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, notes that 9/11 HealthWatch issued a December 22, 2014 report on the 4th anniversary of the passage of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010. The Zadroga law was signed by President Obama and authorized two programs: the World Trade Center Health Program and the reopened September 11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF).
According to Parker Waichman LLP, exposure to the toxic dust that hovered following the crashes that occurred on 9/11 has caused many first responders to develop serious conditions, including respiratory illnesses and over 60 types of cancer. “Our firm has advocated for the rights of 9/11 survivors and rescue workers since the beginning, and we will continue to keep the public informed of important news related to these programs,” said Matthew J. McCauley, Senior Litigation Counsel at Parker Waichman LLP.
The World Trade Center Health Program, which was implemented by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), provides medical treatment and monitoring for 9/11 responders and survivors from the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and Shankville crash sites. The program serves a total of 70,000 enrollees in every state and in 429 of the 435 Congressional districts nationwide. In the past year alone, the Program assisted over 20,000 responders and survivors, providing treatment for more than 50 types of cancer. The program certifies that more than 3,500 individuals have been diagnosed with cancers that were caused or worsened by the 9/11 attacks, according to 9/11 HealthWatch.
The Zadroga Act was named for deceased New York Police Department detective James Zadroga, who worked at Ground Zero. The Zadroga Act reopened the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund to provide payment for job and economic losses for first responders, those trapped in the buildings, and local residents, who suffered illness or injuries related to the toxic dust, according to Parker Waichman LLP.
The Justice Department implemented the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF). Claims processing and compensation decisions are being made with greater expediency, according to 9/11 HealthWatch and, according to a report by Special Master Sheila Birnbaum, as of September 30th, some 16,833 responders and survivors have submitted eligibility forms. Ms. Birnbaum also indicated that 8,517 applicants have been found eligible for compensation; of these, 4,958 submitted compensation forms; 2,042 compensation decisions have been made; and the VCF offered $551,269,835 in compensation determinations.
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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