Serrano Joins Call for Fixing 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund

NEW YORK, NY, August 24, 2004--Today, Congressman José E. Serrano (D-NY) joined Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) at Ground Zero in announcing legislation to extend the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) for personal injury claims and to remove regulations on the fund that are currently blocking many injured rescue workers and area residents from eligibility. 

“September 11th turned Ground Zero into a battlefield because our country was attacked there,” said Serrano.  “Soldiers are able to get compensation for war-related injuries and illnesses even years after the fighting is over.  So it is entirely proper that we treat our brave rescue workers, who risked life and limb at Ground Zero to save lives on and after September 11th, as we treat soldiers.  The fact that they were diagnosed later than the deadline shouldn’t have anything to do with their compensation eligibility.  When Congress put this fund together in the immediate aftermath of the attacks, no one knew what their long-term health consequences would be.  It’s time for Congress and the President to do the right thing and allow these heroes to apply for the compensation they so clearly deserve.”

A number of injured rescue and recovery workers did not apply for the fund because their illness developed more seriously after its December 2003 deadline and in some cases because they were not informed of their eligibility for the fund. 

“We owe a debt of gratitude to the men and women who risked their lives and health to work at Ground Zero,” said Serrano.  “Let’s make sure they’re not denied access to the compensation they deserve because of technicalities.” 

Joining Maloney and Serrano at today’s event were Michael Barasch, Managing Partner, Barasch, McGarry, Salzman, Penson, & Lim; Dr. Michael A. Weiden, Pulmonologist, FDNY Bureau of Health Services, and a number of New York City firefighters, police, and recovery workers who served at Ground Zero.

The text of the legislation announced by Maloney and Serrano is available at <http://www.house.gov/maloney/issues/Sept11/vcf.pdf>.  It would:

• amend eligibility rules so that responders to the 9/11 attacks who arrived later than the first 96 hours could be eligible if they experienced illness or injury from their work at the site.

• amend eligibility rules so that those who did not seek immediate medical verification for their illness or injury from the disaster, but who have since obtained medical evidence, would be eligible.

• extend the deadline for applications to allow those with either late-onset illness from the disaster or those who were never informed of their eligibility for the Victim Compensation Fund to consider applying.

###