Do you suffer from a WTC related condition?
When disaster struck on September 11, 2001, brave emergency workers rushed to Ground Zero to help in anyway they could. Following 9/11, it is estimated that as many as 50,000 at Ground Zero wore little or no protective gear. Now these same workers who risked their lives to save others are plagued by chronic health problems and are not receiving the treatment and support they deserve. Many sick patients have been denied compensation because they cannot prove they were at Ground Zero or that their illnesses were the direct result of Ground Zero exposure.
Many workers have developed health problems that have caused them to stop working, causing them not only to lose their salaries but also their health insurance. These heroes are suffering because they can no longer afford medication and treatment. But as the debate continues, the number of illnesses and deaths increases. Emergency workers have experienced a wide array of medical problems including a persistent cough, now labeled "World trade center cough" and black lung disease.
The administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency at the time, Christie Whitman, assured New Yorkers their air was "safe to breathe". Several groups have since filed class action lawsuits against her and her agency, and a federal judge called her statements "conscience-shocking." Even the EPA's own inspector general has criticized the agency's handling of the crisis. A 2003 report found that on the basis of early tests for asbestos, which had been reassuring, the EPA made misleading pronouncements about air quality. And the White House, the report said, removed cautionary language from the agency's press releases.
A further study by the US general accounting office in 2004 found that the federal government had taken no comprehensive actions to study the health effects of 9/11 pollution and "the full health impact of the attack is unknown". This is what concerns doctors the most. Dr. Moline, who is running a screening program for these workers at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York, said that “diseases could take years to develop.” Her concerns start with cancer, but extend to potential effects on the heart and a variety of lung and respiratory problems. She advises screening exposed workers every 18 months for at least 20 years.
Legal Help for WTC Emergency Workers
If you or a loved one worked at Ground Zero after the 9/11 tragedy and developed any medical conditions that you believe are related to your work, please contact Parker Waichman Alonso Mark LLP today to receive a FREE legal consultation about your case. We will fight for your rights to fair compensation for your injuries, pain and suffering. Fill out the form on this page or call 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636).