| past Media and Updates press release Contact: Jonathan Bennett 212-227-6440 x 14; 917-850-8990 New Law Sets up Workers’ Compensation Registry for 9/11 Responders and Cleanup Workers, Eliminating Normal 2-year Filing Deadline - Registrants who develop 9/11-related illness at any time will be eligible for compensation August 14 – Earlier today Governor Pataki signed a bill that sets up a workers’ compensation registry for workers and volunteers who did rescue, recovery or cleanup work after 9/11. For 9/11 workers and volunteers who register during the next year, the law eliminates the 2-year cut-off for filing a workers’ compensation claim. By registering, workers and volunteers who are not sick will have the right to obtain workers’ compensation if they become sick in the future. Workers and volunteers who are sick, but who missed the 2003 deadline to file a claim, can register and file a claim at the same time..(The bill number is A.11944/S.8348) Such a registry that preserves the right to workers’ compensation for a latent illness is unprecedented in New York State. The new law also applies to volunteer workers, making them eligible for workers’ compensation even though their work was unpaid. The law applies to anyone who did paid or unpaid rescue, recovery or cleanup work in Lower Manhattan south of Canal or Pike Streets between September 11, 2001 and September 12, 2002. It also applies to rescue, recovery or cleanup workers who worked at the Staten Island landfill, the barge operation between Manhattan and Staten Island or the New York City morgue. Anyone who has already been turned down for 9/11-related workers’ compensation can file a new claim or register under the new law. The deadline to file a claim or to register with the Workers’ Compensation Board under the new law is August 14, 2007. "We are gratified that the governor and legislature have taken this step to address pressing needs of thousands of people who are already sick but have missed the deadline for filing a claim. While we have no idea how many people who did clean up work will develop symptoms sometime in the future, this legislation will provide them with important medical and wage replacement benefits." said NYCOSH Executive Director Joel Shufro. "Now it is crucial to make sure that everyone who is eligible knows about it before the next deadline passes a year from now. Failure to register within the year will prevent individuals who may become ill some years from now receiving benefits." To obtain information about the procedure to file a claim or to register, contact the New York State Workers' Compensation Board (toll-free) at 877-632-4996. The New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health is a non-profit provider of occupational safety and health training, advocacy and information to workers and unions throughout the New York metropolitan area. Our membership consists of more than 250 union organizations and 400 individuals: union members, health and safety activists, injured workers, healthcare workers, attorneys, public health advocates, environmentalists and concerned citizens. A fact sheet of detailed information about the new law is available. Click here >>> |