NEW YORK — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is granting World Trade Center workers who performed rescue, recovery and clean-up after 9/11 new protections for workers’ compensation benefits.
“New York State is committed to caring for those who stood up in the face of danger to assist in the rescue and recovery efforts during and after the horrific attacks at the World Trade Center,” Cuomo said in a written statement.
The WTC Registry was reopened and the deadline for joining is now extended to Sept. 11, 2014. Claims are being reopened and qualifying health conditions were added to the law.
“That is why we are providing new protections for the workers, including first responders, clean-up crews and volunteers, who answered the call for help and ensuring they have access to workers’ compensation benefits for the future,” Cuomo said. “I urge those who worked at Ground Zero and other recovery sites to file a WTC-12 form today to apply for the benefits they deserve.”
A list of qualifying health conditions resulting from hazardous exposure for WTC workers was also added and includes:
- Upper respiratory tract and mucosae
- Lower respiratory tract
- Gastroesophageal tract
- Psychological axis
- New onset diseases that develop in the future resulting from exposure
“When New Yorkers needed their help, 9/11 rescue, recovery, and cleanup workers selflessly answered the call,” President of the New York State AFL-CIO Mario Cilento said in a written statement. “It’s incumbent upon us, as a state, to be there for them now and in the future as we continue to learn more about the growing impact of their exposure. We commend Governor Cuomo and the legislature for ensuring that critical treatment and benefits will be available for the heroes who served in the aftermath of 9/11.”