As part of the Year-End Tax and Spending Bill, Congress renewed and extended the Zadroga Act for the next 75 years. It essentially makes the program permanent. In doing so, Congress has provided a combined $8.1 billion for the program, and fully-funded, for the next five years, the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund. The president signed the bill into law on December 18th.
Among other things, the WTC Heath Program will continue to provide vital health care and medical monitoring for 9/11 related illnesses for first responders and survivors. First responders and survivors who have moved out of the NYC metropolitan area will continue to receive necessary health care and medical monitoring. NYC will continue to match up to 10% of the cost associated with the program. Research into diagnosing and treating 9/11 related illness will continue as well.
The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund which was set to close in October 2016 will continue to provide needed compensation to first responders, survivors, and surviving families. This fund has paid out over $1.44 billion to those who were injured or killed in the line of duty or have fallen in to various cancers and medical conditions. The fund is expecting more claims as delayed onset of various cancers related to 9/11 exposure manifest themselves in the coming years.
On December 18, 2015, the president signed the new law. It was the heroic result of a year-long effort by police officers and firefighters. NYPD unions, led by the Sergeants Benevolent Association, pressed hard for the legislation. The renewal legislation received wide bi-partisan support and passed the House 313-113 and the Senate 65-33. New York’s congressional delegation led the charge.
Thankfully, police officers, firefighters, paramedics, EMTS, and other first responders will continue to have their line of duty injuries and illnesses caused by the WTC terrorist attacks treated and compensated.
This is another basis on which police officers, firefighters, paramedics and EMTs can get compensation when they are injured in the line of duty. We are experienced New York line-of-duty injury attorneys representing police officers and other first responders. Call us to discuss your legal rights at 212.425.1401 or contact us online.
Additional Resources
September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF)
NYC Rescue and Recovery Workers