WTC First Responders and Recovery Workers Need to Act NOW to Preserve Their Right to Workers’ Compensation Benefits

The 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) was established to provide compensation and resources to those who have suffered as a result of the September 11^th attacks. But for New York first responders, rescue workers, and recovery workers, the VCF is not the only potential source of compensation for 9/11-related illnesses. The conditions caused by 9/11 exposure can and do impede victims’ ability to work and support their families. As with other injuries or illnesses which keep people off the job, 9/11-related conditions can be the basis of claims for workers’ compensation benefits.

But many New Yorkers were having trouble getting the workers’ comp benefits they were entitled to or simply did not know that they could obtain such help. Fortunately, legislation signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo on September 11, 2017 will go a long way to ensuring that the heroes who sacrificed in the days, months, and years after the Towers fell will get access to these important benefits. But you need to act before September 11, 2018 in order to preserve your rights to workers compensation benefits for 9/11-related conditions.

Specifically, the legislation signed by Gov. Cuomo extends workers’ compensation eligibility and benefits for World Trade Center workers and responders and reopened the World Trade Center Registry, extending the deadline period for registering their service to September 11, 2018.

Who is Eligible to Register for Workers’ Comp Benefits Under the New Law?

You are eligible to register and should take immediate steps to do so if:

• You were a worker or responder, including as a volunteer, who participated in rescue, recovery, and clean-up operations between September 11, 2011 and September 11, 2002, at any of the following locations:
  • Ground Zero;
  • Fresh Kills Landfill;
  • On the barges;
  • On the piers; or
  • At the morgues, and
• You are part of the New York State workers’ compensation system

How to Register

If you have not already registered, you must take the following steps by September 11, 2018 in order to preserve your rights:

• Complete the Registration of Participation in World Trade Center Rescue, Recovery and/or Clean-up Operations (Form WTC-12), which is also available in multiple languages on the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board’s website;
• Sign the completed WTC-12 and have it notarized; and
• Submit the original notarized registration form to the Workers’ Compensation Board at P.O. Box 5205, Binghamton, N.Y. 13902.

If you have questions or need assistance with registering for workers’ compensation benefits, please reach out to the dedicated 9/11 victim compensation attorneys at Turley Hansen & Partners today.

Turley Hansen & Rosasco: Fighting Tirelessly for 9/11 Victims, First Responders, and Recovery Workers Since 2001

Getting 9/11 victims the resources they deserve has been the defining and sole mission of Turley Hansen & Rosasco since shortly after that horrible September day.  Our extensive experience and deep commitment to 9/11 victims has resulted in the recovery of over $75 million in compensation on behalf of over 1,200 clients.

Please contact Turley Hansen today and request a FREE CLAIM REVIEW with one of our experienced 9/11 victim compensation lawyers. Call 1-855-WTC-INFO (1- 800-887-7299) today. We look forward to assisting you.