|
New law provides compensation/medical
care
PEF continues support for WTC responders
By DEBORAH A. MILES
PEF leaders are encouraging members who were responders to the Sept. 11
aftermath to sign-up for the Mt. Sinai medical monitoring program and register
with the Workers’ Compensation Board.
“Even if you aren’t having any health problems now, taking these actions will be
a safeguard if you develop future respiratory or other Sept. 11-related health
problems,” said Jonathan Rosen, PEF’s health and safety director.
“We worked very diligently to help our members after the Sept. 11 attacks,” said
PEF President Ken Brynien. “And we are committed to continue our support.”
One of the best kept secrets about PEF’s role in the aftermath is how its Health
and Safety Department was instrumental in getting the Mt. Sinai medical
monitoring program to include all state workers.
“PEF took the lead on that,” Brynien said. “The Governor’s Office of Employee
Relations and the state Department of Health weren’t interested in continuing
the medical monitoring program.”
A step further
Rosen said the union is already planning to take the Mt. Sinai study a step
further.
“The results of that five-year program will lead to more efforts to get the
federal and state government to do follow-up programs for treatments, benefits
and further study.”
He said the union realizes people who became ill and suffered respiratory
problems or post-traumatic-stress problems are experiencing major negative
effects on their lives and families.
“Not only do we need to be concerned about their well-being, their survival and
families, we need to learn a lesson,” Rosen said. “When it comes to responding
to disasters, whether natural or man-made, the protection of the workers who
respond cannot be compromised.
“The state has done a lot to prepare for emergencies since Sept. 11, but there
are still gaps in critical areas such as specific safety training for staff who
would be called on in a disaster. We are always advocating to fill those gaps,”
he said.
Register now
A new law that took effect August 14 was supported by PEF. It allows all World
Trade Center responders, including volunteers, to register now for a future
Workers’ Compensation claim for any disorder caused by Sept. 11, no matter when
that illness develops.
The registration closes August 14, 2007. If you miss the deadline, you will not
be eligible for the free medical care Workers’ Compensation would provide for a
slow-developing condition.
To register online, go to www.nycosh.org/911
info or
www.wcb/state.ny.us/content/main/SubjectNos/sn046_159.htm. You can also
register by calling your local Workers’ Compensation Board office. To register
for the Mt. Sinai Medical Monitoring Program, call 1-888-702-0630.
| |
|