9/11 Workers’ Compensation Registration Re-opens: Governor Cuomo Signs Bill

Last week Governor Cuomo signed an important new bill that re-opened 911 workers’ compensation registration and disability pensions for Ground Zero workers. The new registration deadline is set for September 11, 2014, but re-opens registration and filing for previously denied claims. Therefore, any 9/11 worker who was previously denied workers’ compensation because they failed to register timely, will now have a second shot at establishing a claim before the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board. In addition, the filing of new workers’ compensation claims will have an impact on pending 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund claims. It is strongly suggested that you speak to a workers’ compensation lawyer knowledgeable in 9/11 claims as soon as possible. Feel free to contact Turley Redmond, & Rosasco, L.L.P. with any questions.

Registration preserves the right for workers who participated in the rescue, recovery and clean-up efforts at Ground Zero to be able to file a future claim should they become sick with a 9/11 related illness.The revised  bill now allows for vested members in eligible pension retirement systems to participate in 9/11 workers’ compensation registration regardless if they had subsequently left service. The registry  known as the WTC-12 or the WTC Notice of Participation for pension systems, for example, The New York City Employee Retirement System (NYCERS) or the New York City Police Pension Fund (NYCPPF). If you have already filed a WTC-12 or WTC Notice of Participation, you do not have to re-register. You can view the full press release from Governor Cuomo here. 

Angela Luongo, a Paralegal with Turley Redmond, & Rosasco, L.L.P. contributed to the writing of this post.