Barasch & McGarry - Lawyers for the 9/11 Community

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Valerie A. Velazquez-Stetz of Barasch & McGarry - Lawyers for the 9/11 Community, a retired Jersey City Police Officer and 9/11 responder, published an essay on NorthJersey calling on New Jersey's legislators to extend the Ricci Act: "New Jersey should keep its promise and protect 9/11 heroes, who are now victims of the World Trade Center toxic dust. "Nearly 23 years ago, first responders from across New Jersey, including myself, rushed to aid a devastated New York City in its search, rescue and recovery operations following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. "Today, approximately 132,530 individuals, including responders and civilians, are registered with the World Trade Center Health Program, suffering from one or more of the 69 recognized 9/11-related cancers and other serious health consequences including asthma and COPD. "While New York State officials have consistently supported its 9/11 first responders by repeatedly extending deadlines to apply for pension benefits, New Jersey’s response has sadly been marred by red tape. "The original Ricci Act was intended to provide retirement disability protections to eligible first responders, but due to a limited registry window and administrative hurdles, it was effectively the state’s best kept secret. It has been a gross inequity to those who risked their lives and health in the wake of the 9/11 attacks on our nation. Now is the time for our leaders in Trenton to take the bull by the horns and correct this injustice for the first responder community. "Assemblywoman Jessica Ramirez, together with state Senate President Nicholas Scutari, have introduced legislation to extend the Ricci Act, providing accidental disability retirement benefits to those New Jersey civil servants who participated in the rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations at the World Trade Center. "When the terrorists struck, I was among my peer first responders dispatched to help in New York City. It’s called mutual aid and thousands of New Jersey first responders answered the call in our nation’s darkest hour and worked tirelessly. Typically, many are now seriously ill and have died from illnesses scientifically linked to the WTC toxins. "Every September, we hear the motto 'Never Forget,' but sadly many believe we’ve been forgotten. "The Ricci Act can be a lifeline for those who answered the call and are now gravely ill or who might become sick and perish due to their toxic 9/11 exposure. Our families deserve better. "The legislation closes gaps in coverage with added benefits for a limited number of 9/11 heroes and their families. The harsh reality is that more people have died from 9/11 illnesses, than those on that fateful day. "The extension of the New Jersey Ricci Act is not just about providing benefits; it is about recognizing the sacrifices made by our first responders and ensuring they receive the support they need. New Jersey must not abandon the forgotten heroes of 9/11."

Barasch & McGarry - Lawyers for the 9/11 Community interns joined partner Bruce Kaye and Bridget E. Gormley to visit New York City Fire Department Engine 216/Ladder 108/Battalion 35 in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. They discussed the firm’s work on behalf of the responder community, including many thousands of 9/11 responders and firefighters who were injured in the line of duty. They also discussed the health care and compensation resources available to 9/11 responders and survivors who are diagnosed with Ground Zero-related cancer or respiratory illness.

Were you in Lower Manhattan below Canal Street on 9/11 or before May 31, 2002? If you were there, you are at risk of 69 different cancers and many respiratory illnesses from your exposure to Ground Zero toxins. The most common cancers include skin cancer, prostate cancer, thyroid cancer, breast cancer, multiple myeloma, lymphoma, leukemia, lung cancer, kidney cancer, colon cancer, and bladder cancer. Other serious illnesses are asthma, GERD, chronic rhinosinusitis, COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, sarcoidosis, sleep apnea, and chronic respiratory disorder. If you or anyone you know had cancer or respiratory illness or lost a family member, you can register. Take advantage of the benefits to which you are entitled: · $90,000 awards for skin cancers · $200,000 - $340,000 awards for other cancers · $20,000 - $90,000 for respiratory illnesses · Additional compensation for lost income · $250,000+ for families who lost someone If you have any questions, I invite you to visit our website at www.wtcvictims.com or call 800-657-0326. All consultations are free. It is a privilege to represent the 9/11 Community. Thank you for helping us spread the word.

Today, we honor the enduring legacy of NYPD Detective Luis G. Alvarez, a 9/11 hero whose dying testimony persuaded Congress to establish permanent compensation benefits for 9/11 responders, survivors, and their families, on the fifth anniversary of his passing. Detective Alvarez, who appeared before the House Judiciary Committee with comedian and 9/11 advocate Jon Stewart, died only 18 days later, of colorectal cancer he developed from his exposure to Ground Zero toxins at the World Trade Center site, where he worked with search-and-rescue teams for three months after the terrorist attacks. In his testimony, Detective Alvarez called on Congress to honor its promise to “never forget” the 9/11 community members whose contributions to the recovery of New York City were invaluable. “I will not stand by and watch as my friends with cancer from 9/11 like me are valued less than anyone else because of when they get sick,” he said. “I’m going to make sure that you never forget to take care of the 9/11 responders.” The day after Detective Alvarez testified, the committee voted unanimously for the “Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act.” Within a few weeks, the full House of Representatives and the Senate passed the reauthorization bill, which was signed into law by President Trump on July 29, 2019. The act now permanently funds the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund and extends eligibility to 2092. Detective Alvarez dedicated his life to public service. A native of Havana, Cuba, he graduated from Monsignor McClancy Memorial High School, East Elmhurst, Queens, before joining the Marines. He became a member of the New York City Police Department in 1990, and quickly advanced through the ranks �� becoming a detective in 1995 and later working undercover. Detective Alvarez was recognized on multiple occasions for his exemplary work with the NYPD before retiring in 2010.

Sara Director, a Partner at Barasch & McGarry - Lawyers for the 9/11 Community, spoke with Healthnews to inform 9/11 responders and survivors of their right to access free health care and compensation awards for 9/11-related uterine cancer from the World Trade Center Health Program and the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. For many years, 9/11 community members with uterine cancer were denied resources, Director said, because studies of 9/11-related illnesses “didn't think about the survivors,” including the more than 400,000 people who worked, lived, or attended school below Canal Street in Lower Manhattan on and after 9/11. Barasch & McGarry - Lawyers for the 9/11 Community now represents more than 350 survivors of 9/11-related uterine cancer and their families. If you have been diagnosed with uterine cancer and you were in Lower Manhattan on or after 9/11, you may be eligible for free health care and compensation. https://lnkd.in/ekuXrzaP

Michael Barasch and the Barasch & McGarry - Lawyers for the 9/11 Community team are honored to support Gift of Life, which has saved thousands of lives. 9/11 responders and survivors have a higher risk of 69 different types of cancer, including blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. Gift of Life matches stem cell and bone marrow donors with patients in treatment for blood cancers and other conditions. You can help our 9/11 heroes today by joining the stem cell and marrow registry. If you are already registered, tell a friend.

Michael Barasch and the Barasch & McGarry - Lawyers for the 9/11 Community team are honored to support the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, an organization that provides invaluable support to military and first responder heroes and their families, including members of the 9/11 community who have been diagnosed with cancer or respiratory illness as a result of their exposure to Ground Zero toxins on and after 9/11. Pictured are John Feal of the FealGood Foundation ONE, Frank Siller and Jake Siller of Tunnel to Towers, Mike Barasch and Kevin Gormley of Barasch & McGarry, and Ret. Lt. Mike O’Connell, New York City Fire Department.

More than 100 members of the Barasch & McGarry - Lawyers for the 9/11 Community team and I gathered at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum for a ceremony honoring the end of the recovery operation at Ground Zero on May 30, 2002. The ceremony recognized the brave first responders and workers at the site who were exposed to toxins that continue to increase their risk of developing 69 different types of cancer and many respiratory illnesses. “Thousands have become sick or died from exposure and trauma during the aftermath of 9/11,” said Beth Hillman, President and CEO of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. “The events of that day continue to afflict far too many individuals and their families.” She also announced a new exhibit at the museum, “Dust: Illness and Advocacy,” which explores the harms of Ground Zero toxins on members of the 9/11 community.