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What is the Zadroga Act?
Survivors of the 9/11 disaster, including first responders who served in the area and breathed in toxic dust, might be interested in learning about their rights when it comes to medical care. The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 provides health monitoring and financial support to volunteers, first responders, and survivors of those terrorist attacks.
Zadroga Act Namesake
The public policy was established because of James Zadroga, a police officer in New York whose death was connected to WTC disaster exposures. The law created a formal health program to provide medical support for survivors and first responders who might have health issues linked to the 9/11 attacks.
Zadroga Act Benefits
The Zadroga Act was reauthorized on Dec. 18, 2015. This extended medical benefits for authorized first responders and volunteers through 2090. Many people have come forward in recent years after developing serious medical concerns, like cancer, due to inhaling fumes and toxic dust surrounding the World Trade Center attacks.
The benefits under the act could cover hundreds of thousands of affected people. Some explain the Zadroga Act as being like workers’ compensation due to the fact that those claiming benefits were hurt through no fault of their own. However, the law interprets whether or not benefits should be paid based on a case-by-case basis.
Benefits depend on several factors, including the prognosis for recovery, the extent of an injury or illness, and the amount of lost wages.
Benefit Eligibility
Victims do not have to be people who live in New York City only.
Instead, a person must show that they were in an area known as the “Exposure Zone” between Sept. 11, 2001 and May 3, 2002. Furthermore, many people are under the impression that only emergency responders can apply. Injury compensation is available to people of many different work backgrounds.
Evidence used to support Zadroga Act claims include credit card receipts, paystubs, witness statements, and more. Anyone who lived or worked in the Exposure Zone and later suffered serious problems and medical issues should have their case evaluated by an experienced lawyer. For those people outside of the Exposure Zone, other forms of compensation might be pursued for victims who have medical conditions related to 9/11.
Many people are currently pushing for another fund, known as the Victim’s Compensation Fund, to be renewed beyond December 2020. Set to expire at that point in time, some advocates argue that many victims with medical conditions are only just now learning about their problems and side effects. Renew911health.org says that victims should be able to receive compensation after they receive a diagnosis related to their 9/11 exposure.
Common Medical Problems
Some of the most common problems presented by people who lived in the Exposure Zone include varying types of cancer, breathing problems, and other health issues that could come with substantial costs for the affected victim.
If you or someone you know was living and working in this area and suddenly have developed medical problems, you need to report these concerns to your doctor as soon as possible. These could be indications of a more serious issue and testing could be required.
