Off The Record – 911 Claims

Video Transcript

Hi everyone, Craig Rosasco, Law Firm Turley, Redmond & Rosasco.

Today we’re going to discuss 9/11 claims with the Workers’ Compensation Board and the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund.

First and foremost, for Workers’ Compensation purposes, you’ve got to register by filing a WTC-2. They’ve extended that deadline until September 11, 2026.

What does that mean?

It simply means you’re registering and stating that you were involved downtown in the rescue, recovery, or cleanup efforts following the aftermath of the 9/11 disaster.

That protects you. It doesn’t mean that you have a disability yet, but should you develop one in the future, you’re now registered stating, “I was down there, and if anything comes up, I’m going to retroactively make that application based upon my prior registration.”

That’s done through Article 8-A of the New York Workers’ Compensation Law.

If you were downtown, there’s no harm and no fee in filing that registration. I strongly recommend that you protect yourself and complete the filing as soon as possible.

Once again, the current deadline is September 11, 2026. They have extended it on many occasions, and they may extend it again in the future, but if you were down there, just go ahead and file it.

Similarly, you could be entitled to monetary compensation and healthcare benefits through the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF).

In July 2019, President Trump signed into law the most recent authorization for the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund, extending the program through 2090.

If you were downtown and need medical care, you can pursue treatment through the World Trade Center Health Program.

If you’re certified for injuries or illnesses determined to be related to your rescue, recovery, cleanup work, or if you were a resident, worker, student, or visitor in the affected area, you may also be entitled to financial compensation through the Victim Compensation Fund.

Give us a call, and let us help determine what benefits you’re entitled to, whether medical, financial, or both.

The legal burden is generally higher for Workers’ Compensation claims than it is for claims through the Victim Compensation Fund because of the different causation requirements, but we’ll walk you through the process.

Call us today at 516-745-5666.

Talk to you soon.