The terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center occurred more than seven years ago, but the effects from that horrific day are still with us.
PEF members who performed rescue, recovery or clean-up work after Sept. 11 should note the deadline to register for workers’ compensation benefits, by filing form WTC-12, has been extended to September 11, 2010.
The extended deadline is a measure to protect workers and volunteers who are not sick, but who may become sick in the future because of exposure to the toxic air, contaminated with dust and smoke.
The law also allows anyone who already filed a claim, but was turned down because the claim was filed too late, to re-file.
“Thousands of people who participated in the Sept. 11 aftermath are now sick,” said PEF Director of Health and Safety Jonathan Rosen. “It is important for every worker and volunteer to register, because it will protect your right to compensation benefits if you become sick in the future.”
To be eligible to register or apply for a Sept. 11-related workers’ compensation claim, you must have worked or volunteered in rescue, recovery or clean-up efforts between Sept. 11, 2001, and Sept. 12, 2002.
You must have worked anywhere in Manhattan south of Canal or Pike Streets; on the barge operation between Lower Manhattan and Staten Island; at the Staten Island landfill; or at the New York City morgue.
“Even if you have already established a workers’ compensation claim, you need to register again,” Rosen said. “We don’t know if any new illness will emerge as a result of Sept. 11. Your existing claim does not cover a new condition. It is important to register again, so you can be eligible to file a new claim in the future.”
You can access form WTC-12 and obtain additional information online at www.nycosh.org or call 1-866-WTC-2556 to request a form. The form must be printed and notarized.
