The New York Committee for Occupational Health and Safety (NYCOSH) has outlined new guidelines that would extend the deadline for 9/11 workers and volunteers to apply for workers' compensation benefits.
Many people were involved in rescue, recovery, and cleanup efforts during the attacks on 9/11, and some have acquired illnesses related to the harmful materials to which they were exposed. NYCOSH said that these volunteers, part of an organized group or not, are eligible to receive workers' compensation benefits.
To qualify, they must provide proof that they were involved by stating the details of the work they did. The benefits are available to everyone who registers before the deadline, even to those who are not yet sick but may become sick in the future.
"This is an amendment to our current law. Workers reported becoming sick from exposure to toxic substances after the [original] deadline passed to file a claim. With this amendment, they now can register by Aug. 2007 to become eligible or have their claim reopened," said Joel Shufro, executive director for NYCOSH.
Shufro also said that while they cannot anticipate a certain number of claims that will stem from 9/11 cleanup, they do expect to see claims involving respiratory ailments, certain types of cancer, and psychological disorders. Fraud also is expected to be an issue.
"Each claim will go through a system," said Shufro. "It does not entitle everyone to compensation. One must prove they were working south of Canal or Pike streets and that there is a medical connection between that work and the illness."
In order to register, one must have worked in the recovery, cleanup, or rescue process between Sept. 11, 2001 and Sept. 12, 2002.
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