Christopher Baione and Pitta & Baione LLP were featured on New Tang Dynasty Television, the largest television network outside of China, with regard to our press conference at the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of New York and our upcoming 9/11 benefits workshop on Friday, August 12, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. at the Community Room of Confucius Plaza, 33 Bowery. Other media outlets in attendance included Apple Daily and Sing Tao.
Monday’s press conference focused on raising awareness within the Chinese-American community with regard to federal health and compensation benefits available to them under the Zadroga Act.
On Friday, Pitta & Baione attorneys will expand on Monday’s press conference to discuss the history of the Zadroga Act, the health effects of 9/11 toxic dust and debris, 9/11 related health conditions, the World Trade Center Health Program, and the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. After the information session, Pitta Giblin & Baione attorneys will meet with attendants one-on-one to discuss their conditions and to walk them through the 9/11 victim benefits programs.
Local community leaders in attendance included Virginia Kee, co-founder of the Chinese-American Planning Council and the United Democratic Organization, Jenny Low, Democratic District Leader for Chinatown/Lower East Side, Justin C. Yu, Chairman of CCCNY, Kenny Leung, Vice Chairman of CCCNY, Yuh-Line Niou, Chief of Staff to Queens Assemblyman Ron Kim and Democratic Candidate for the 65th Assembly District. The community leaders expressed their concern that Chinese-American residents of Chinatown and Lower Manhattan may be unaware of 9/11 victim benefits, and may miss critical compensation deadlines, due to lack of outreach and language barrier issues.
Pitta & Baione attorney Christopher Baione explained that individuals who lived, worked, attended school or visited below Canal Street between 9/11/01 and 5/30/02 may be eligible for free healthcare and compensation. Mr. Baione gave an overview of the World Trade Center Health Program and the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund as a preview for Friday’s workshop. Additionally, Mr. Baione detailed some 9/11 related conditions such as cancer, lung diseases, asthma, GERD (persistent heartburn), and COPD. Finally, Mr. Baione informed the media outlets that non-U.S. citizens are eligible for 9/11 victim benefits as well.
One of the WTC Health Program’s Clinical Centers of Excellence is located within the Lower Manhattan Chinese-American community at Gouverneuer Health on Madison Street and Clinton Street. However, applicants may visit other centers located throughout New York City and around the United States.
Christopher Baione and Pitta Giblin & Baione LLP invite Chinese-Americans who were present below Canal Street between 9/11/01 and 5/30/02 to attend the information session and workshop on Friday, August 12, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. in the Community Room at Confucius Plaza, 33 Bowery.
For more information, please contact Pitta & Baione LLP at 844-982-2667 or info@pittabaione.com
