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.
- Cancer
- Blood and Lymphoid Tissue (including, but not limited to, lymphoma, leukemia, and myeloma)
- Diffuse non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Follicular (nodular) non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Hodgkin’s disease
- Leukemia of unspecified cell type
- Lymphoid leukemia
- Malignant immunoproliferative diseases
- Monocytic leukemia
- Multiple myeloma and malignant plasma cell neoplasms
- Myeloid leukemia
- Other and unspecified lymphoid, hematopoietic, and related tissue
- Other and unspecified types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Other leukemias of specified cell type
- Peripheral and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma
- Digestive System
- Colon
- Esophagus
- Liver and intrahepatic bile ducts
- Other and ill-defined digestive organs
- Rectosignoid junction
- Rectum
- Retroperitoneum and peritoneum
- Stomach
- Eye and Orbit
- Eye and adnexa
- Female Breast
- Ovary
- Head and Neck
- Accessory sinuses
- Base of tongue
- Floor of mouth
- Gum
- Hypopharynx
- Larynx
- Lip
- Nasal cavity
- Nasopharynx
- Other and ill-defined conditions in the lip, oral cavity, and pharynx
- Other and unspecified major salivary glands
- Other and unspecified part of the mouth
- Other and unspecified parts of the tongue
- Oropharynx
- Palate
- Parotid gland
- Piriform sinus
- Tonsil
- Respiratory System
- Bronchus and lung
- Heart, mediastinum, and pleura
- Other and ill-defined sites in the respiratory system and intrathoracic organs
- Trachea
- Skin (Melanoma and non-Melanoma)
- Malignant melanoma of skin
- Other malignant neoplasms of skin
- Scrotum
- Soft Tissue
- Other connective and soft tissue
- Peripheral nerves and autonomic nervous system
- Thyroid
- Urinary System
- Bladder
- Kidney
- Other and unspecified urinary organs
- Prostate
- Renal pelvis
- Ureter
- Mesothelioma
- Blood and Lymphoid Tissue (including, but not limited to, lymphoma, leukemia, and myeloma)
- Aerodigestive Disorders (Airways and Digestive Disorders)
- Asthma
- Chronic cough syndrome
- Chronic laryngitis
- Chronic nasopharyngitis
- Chronic respiratory disorder—fumes/vapors
- Chronic rhinosinusitis
- Gastroesophageal reflux disorder (“GERD”) (persistent heartburn)
- Interstitial lung diseases (e.g., sarcoidosis)
- Reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS)
- Sleep apnea exacerbated by or related to another condition described in the list of aerodigestive disorders
- Upper airway hyperreactivity
- WTC-exacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- New-onset COPD
- Mental Health Conditions (ineligible for compensation)
- Acute stress disorder
- Adjustment disorder
- Anxiety disorder (not otherwise specified)
- Depression (not otherwise specified)
- Dysthymic disorder (persistent depressive disorder)
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Major depressive disorder
- Panic disorder
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Substance abuse
- Musculoskeletal Disorders (Responders only)
- Responders who received treatment for a WTC-related musculoskeletal disorder, such as carpal tunnel syndrome or lower back pain, on or before September 11, 2003 are eligible for coverage.
- Acute Traumatic Injury
- Responders and survivors who received treatment for a WTC-related acute traumatic injury on or before September 11, 2003 are eligible for coverage. Examples include:
- Eye injury
- Burn
- Head trauma
- Fracture
- Tendon tear
- Complex sprain
- Responders and survivors who received treatment for a WTC-related acute traumatic injury on or before September 11, 2003 are eligible for coverage. Examples include:
- Rare Cancers
- Malignant neoplasms of the adrenal gland and other endocrine glands and related structures
- Anus and anal canal
- Bone and articular cartilage
- Breast among men
- Gallbladder and other parts of biliary tract
- Meninges, brain, spinal cord, cranial nerves, and other parts of central nervous system
- Pancreas
- Penis and testis
- Placenta
- Small intestine
- Thymus
- Vulva, vagina, and cervix uteri (invasive only)
- Malignant neuroendocrine neoplasm, including carcinoid tumors
- Myeloid neoplasms, including myelodysplastic syndromes, myeloproliferative neoplasms, myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasms, and myeloid malignancies associated with eosinophilia and abnormalities of growth factor receptors derived from platelets or fibroblasts
- Other cancers that meet the threshold incidence rate of less than 15 cases per 100,000 persons per year based on age-adjusted 2005-2009 average annual data.
