COVID-19 Puts 9/11 Community at Heightened Risk for Severe Life-Threatening Illness

COVID-19 coronavirus deaths in New York have now passed 14,000 as of April 20, 2020. This horrific number is more than the deaths on 9/11 itself and 9/11-related deaths to date – combined. It is likely that COVID-19 deaths will permanently eclipse 9/11 deaths to date and future related deaths. This is yet another tragedy for New Yorkers, and all Americans, to overcome. 

Sadly, the combination of a serious 9/11-related underlying condition with the coronavirus infection could have severe medical consequences for members of this community. Those survivors with a certified 9/11 respiratory condition (such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,), sarcoidosis, sleep apnea, RADS (reactive Airways dysfunction syndrome), asthma, upper airway hyper-reactivity, and interstitial lung disease, among others), are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 illness.

In addition, survivors with a “certified 9/11 cancer”, such as lung cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer or leukemia who are immune-compromised due to cancer itself, current or past cancer treatment (such as chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, stem cell or bone marrow transplants, or steroids) are equally, if not more, at severe risk.

Given the heightened risk of many 9/11 survivors, the attorneys and entire staff at Hansen & Rosasco, LLP implore all our 9/11 Fund clients, everyone in the this community and indeed, all Americans to strictly follow the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) COVID-19 guidelines to prevent becoming infected or spreading transmission to others. Keep the faith and be careful out there.

Give us a call today at 1-516-518-9347 to learn your rights to compensation from the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. A member of our team of highly qualified staff is ready to give you help and guidance in filing a claim with the and the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund and the World Trade Center Health Program. To learn more about September 11th Victim Compensation Fund eligibility, click here.