The attacks of September 11 have left many of our brave men and women injured or debilitated and in need of medical care and compensation. While a great deal of money has already been paid out to victims and their families, there is still more that can be done. However costs for care are expected to top $240 million a year and our lawmakers stalling on passing legislation to ensure coverage for emergency responders and rescue workers.

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Show Them the Money – What is Being Done to Help Our 9/11 Heroes?

It is well known that over 2,700 people lost their lives in New York City on September 11, 2001 – but what is less well understood is the lingering impact of the 9/11 attacks on the health and well-being of residents and emergency responders exposed to the toxic environment around the fallen World Trade Center. The noxious cloud of dust and smoke that blanketed lower Manhattan that fateful day contained particles of asbestos, glass, polyvinyl chlorate, mercury, and lead – all of which when inhaled are toxic to human beings.

Many experts believe that the full extent of damage to the health of 9/11 emergency responders and survivors won’t be known for 20 or even 30 years. If this is the case, what is being done to ensure that the men and women who risked their lives at Ground Zero are given the care and treatment they deserve?

Financial Compensation

Several sources of funds have made payouts to families of the deceased and to those still living will illnesses contracted at Ground Zero. The September 11 Victim Compensation Fund has paid out six billion dollars to the families of those killed or injured on September 11th, and the latest bill going before Congress asks that this fund be re-opened so that additional funds can be paid out. A Rand Corporation study in 2004 estimated that over $38 billion had been paid out to individuals and businesses affected by the attacks.

Additionally, The New York Times is soliciting funds for their Neediest Cases Fund, to provide medical coverage for uninsured responders who participated in rescue, recovery, and clean-up work at Ground Zero. The federal government has also put aside one billion dollars in a federal insurance fund in case the city loses any of the many court cases being brought against it by the victims of 9/11.

Legislative Efforts

Lawmakers have been attempting to pass bills that would provide for health care coverage and financial compensation for the victims of 9/11 exposed to the toxic dust and smoke that blanketed the area surrounding the World Trade Center collapse. Previous attempts to pass such legislation have stalled in Congress, raising questions about our legislators’ willingness to help victims now that the suffering of 9/11 is no longer at the forefront of their minds. Only time will tell if Congress is willing to put aside partisan concerns and focus on finally providing compensation and health care for deserving victims.

The Cost for Continuing Care

The cost of health care for those suffering from health issues resulting from inhalation of noxious dust and smoke is enormous. Considering that a New York City task force appointed by Mayor Michael Bloomburg estimates that 400,000 people could have been exposed to the toxic effects of Ground Zero dust and debris, the cost for health care will be enormous. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) estimates that the cost for care could rise to $20 million a month due to the increase in the number of rescue and recovery workers becoming ill due to the after effects of 9/11. This would be an increase of $14 million a month from current costs for care, for a total of $240 a year.

No matter the cost, the men and women who risked their lives and well-being by saving lives and cleaning up at Ground Zero deserve to be cared for with all the resources our country has to offer. The law firm of Napoli Bern stands behind our the heroes of September 11, and is fighting for the rights of those in need. If you or somebody you know are not getting the compensation you deserve, please contact Napoli Bern immediately for a no-cost consultation.
©2008 Napoli Bern LLP, All Rights Reserved, Reproduced with Permission
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