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WTC Settlement Frequently Asked Questions

Zadroga Act

If I opt-in to this settlement will I be entitled to any benefits under the Zadroga Act that is before congress?

Congress has amended the language of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 to allow for benefit claims by first responders and other World Trade Center Disaster Site clean up workers who have settled their litigation claims against the City of New York, its contractors and other defendants.  The amendment to the bill's original language now provides that any person who has settled a civil litigation claim that was commenced after December 22, 2003 and settled and released all claims before the final enactment of the Zadroga bill will be permitted to file a claim for benefits under the Zadroga bill. "Enactment" of a Bill means that the bill has been finally approved by the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate and signed by the President.  Any settlement received prior to Zadroga's enactment will be deemed a "set-off" (a dollar-for-dollar deduction) against the benefits payable under Zadroga for a Victims' Compensation Fund payment only.  The litigation set-off will not reduce the health benefits payable under Zadroga.

On July 29, 2010, the US House of Representatives failed to pass the James Zadroga 9/11 Health care and Compensation Act. The Bill is effectively dead until after the summer recess in September when the House may once again take a look at it. Nevertheless it must be cautioned that the Senate to this point has not held any hearings or drafted their own version of the legislation. It is doubtful that a James Zadgroga Bill will be passed in 2010.   We have lobbied for the passage of this Bill for years,and will continue to do so aggressively until it becomes law. We believe that it is a perfect bill for the heroes of 9/11. It works in tandem with the historic $712,500,000 settlement we negotiated for the 10,000 men and women we represent.

The current settlement is guaranteed money now. This settlement is the only compensation guaranteed to the heroes of 9/11. We strongly recommend you accept this payment now as we continue to work for passage of the Zadroga Bill in the uncertain future.

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