Blog

Staten Island Memorial to Honor Responders Affected by 9/11 Illnesses

April 7, 2017
STATEN ISLAND MEMORIAL TO HONOR RESPONDERS
HomeBlogStaten Island Memorial to Honor Responders Affected by 9/11 Illnesses

Staten Island is taking a major step to recognize a sad reality: the terrorist attacks did not end on September 11, 2001. In destroying New York City’s most prized possessions, 9/11 terrorists waged a chemical war- unleashing millions of tons of asbestos, plastics, metal, fiberglass, and mercury; in addition to thousands of gallons of jet fuel and transformer oil. Scientists estimate that, in just a few years, 9/11-related illnesses will take more lives than the attacks themselves.

In recognition of the long-lasting effects of 9/11 toxins exposure, Staten Island Borough President James Oddo and the New York City Economic Development Corporation will honor fallen responders who worked or lived on Staten Island. The names will be engraved in marble on the St. George waterfront next to the Postcards Memorial. Former Staten Island Borough President, and Pitta & Baione Senior Advisor, James P. Molinaro established the Postcards Memorial to honor the lives of 274 Staten Islanders lost in the attacks.

Staten Island Borough President Oddo and the NYC EDC are relying on 9/11 benefits to establish causation: In order to be eligible, by April 14, 2017, applicants must submit a letter from the World Trade Center Health Program certifying that the decedent’s condition was 9/11 related; or an award letter from the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. Both programs were established by the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.

Despite the deadline, names will be added again in the future. As Staten Island Borough President Oddo poignantly commented, “Tragically, we’re going to have to add names every year.”

Contact Emma Pfohman, NYC EDC government and community relations, at epfohman@edc.nyc for more information.

For more information regarding the World Trade Center Health Program and 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund, contact Pitta & Baione LLP at 844-982-2667 or info@pittabaione.com.

In general, you may be eligible for free healthcare and compensation if between 9/11/01 and 5/30/02 you were:

  • in Lower Manhattan below Canal Street
  • at the Fresh Kills landfill
  • on barges/trucks/piers along debris removal routes
  • at the NYC Morgue, or
  • at garages where emergency vehicles were cleaned

Additionally, representatives of individuals who suffered from one of the following 9/11 related conditions prior to their death may be eligible for compensation.

The following conditions are currently eligible for free healthcare and compensation. The “List of Covered Conditions” is subject to change as the WTC Health Program Administrator, Dr. John Howard, and the Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee continue to review research, statistics, and studies in order to identify new conditions for coverage.