New York, NY — In an ongoing effort to address the long-term health consequences of the September 11 attacks, the City of New York has expanded the designated exposure zone—an area beyond Ground Zero that's impacted by the toxic debris and dust from the collapse of the World Trade Center.
Weisfuse & Weisfuse, LLP, the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund Attorneys, advise those who have been within the new exposure zone to check their whereabouts, as they might be eligible for compensation.
For context, the 9/11 exposure zone, mostly referred to as Ground Zero, an area where the World Trade Center and five other structures in the WTC complex collapsed and caused a massive cloud of toxic dust and debris.
However, the exposure zone was eventually expanded to the south of Canal Street after environmental investigations and health officials showed that harmful airborne dust and toxins from the WTC collapse spread across Lower Manhattan.
These harmful airborne substances included asbestos, silica, and other hazardous chemicals that settled in densely populated zones in Lower Manhattan, with Canal Street becoming a key area of concern due to the high amount of traffic, as it's located just a few blocks north of Ground Zero.
The new expansion of the exposure zone results from the continued research into the health effects of the 9/11 fallout, which has been linked to severe respiratory issues, cancers, and other illnesses. The exposure zone is now expanded from north of Canal Street and spans from south of Houston Street in downtown New York City and 1 ½ miles into Brooklyn.
The neighborhoods included south of Houston Street, include SoHo, Tribeca, and parts of the Financial District. Though further from Ground Zero, research has shown that these areas were within the reach of airborne dust and debris that spread through the air in the aftermath of the largest terrorist attack in human history.
This expansion reflects growing concerns over the long-term impacts of exposure to the toxic mix of asbestos, silica, and many other harmful substances found in the dust, as the collapse of the towers released millions of tons of debris, which contained substances that are known as carcinogenics.
"As the City expands the 9/11 exposure zone, it's crucial for those who may have been impacted by toxic debris and dust to recognize their potential eligibility for compensation," said Jason Weisfuse of Weisfuse & Weisfuse, LLP. "Our firm is committed to helping those who have been affected by the health risks of 9/11, and we encourage anyone who has been within the newly designated exposure zone, whether for work, residence, or recovery efforts, to reach out.
The expansion to the south of Houston Street also ensures that more individuals who unknowingly traversed these neighborhoods and its polluted air or worked in any of the associated locations will gain access to health screening and monitoring, as well as financial compensation.
In order to be eligible for the Victim Compensation Fund, which became permanently funded in July 2019, claimants must be certified with the WTC Health Program and diagnosed with a 9/11-related illness or medical condition.
It's important to note that financial compensation is also available to families and personal representatives of those who were killed in the attacks or subsequently died from a 9/11-related condition or illness.
Eligibility is determined based on the timeframe and one's proof of presence. In other words, if a person died during the attack, the rescue, recovery, or debris removal, or if they have been present during the attack and have sustained injury and have spent time within the exposure zone, that person is deemed eligible for compensation.
Those who had been in the exposure zone need to provide proof of presence in the form of employer records, proof of residence, or any other documents that show their location within the exposure zone during the attacks, rescue, recovery, or debris removal.
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For those who want to learn more about exposure zone expansion and whether or not they may eligible for compensation, don't hesitate to contact Weisfuse & Weisfuse, LLP.
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For more information about Weisfuse & Weisfuse, LLP, contact the company here:
Weisfuse & Weisfuse, LLP
Jason Weisfuse
212-983-3000
jw@weisfuse.com
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