Barasch & McGarry - Lawyers for the 9/11 Community

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Michael Barasch, Managing Partner of Barasch & McGarry - Lawyers for the 9/11 Community traveled to Washington, DC with 9/11 responder and advocate John Feal of the FealGood Foundation ONE and New York City Fire Department 9/11 responder Michael O'Connell to support the permanent funding of the World Trade Center Health Program, which provides medical monitoring and treatment for more than 132,000 9/11 responders and survivors.

Michael Barasch, Managing Partner of Barasch & McGarry - Lawyers for the 9/11 Community, went to Washington, D.C. today to support the full funding of the World Trade Center Health Program, which provides medical monitoring and treatment for more than 132,000 9/11 responders and survivors. With him on Capitol Hill were Bridget E. Gormley and Michael O'Connell of Barasch & McGarry - Lawyers for the 9/11 Community, John Feal of the FealGood Foundation ONE, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Congressman Anthony D'Esposito, Congressman Andrew Garbarino, Congressman Daniel Goldman and a coalition of 9/11 responders and community advocates. Recently-introduced bipartisan legislation provides funding to prevent cuts in services and deal with the program's deficit during the next ten years, and fixes the funding method used afterwards to provide adequate funding in the future for the life of program, until 2090. In addition, the legislation increases funding for research and data collection on 9/11-related conditions. After 9/11, we promised to “never forget” the responders who saved thousands of lives after the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the Flight 93 crash site, as well as the downtown workers, residents, and students and teachers who returned to Lower Manhattan based on the EPA's claim that the air was safe to breathe. We are proud to support their permanent access to World Trade Center Health Program.

Today, we honor the memory of New York City Fire Department Firefighter Dan Noonan, a true hero who recently passed away from a 9/11-related illness. He was 76 years old, and leaves behind a legacy of courage and service. We will never forget Dan’s advocacy on behalf of the FDNY and entire 9/11 community. It was an honor and a privilege for Barasch & McGarry - Lawyers for the 9/11 Community to represent such a remarkable individual. 364 active duty FDNY members have lost their lives due to 9/11-related illnesses, along with hundreds of retired firefighters like Dan who selflessly answered the call in our country’s most dire hour of need. On September 11, 2001, Dan was retired from the FDNY and living in California. But when he learned about the terrorist attacks, he made a 55-hour journey from San Diego to Ground Zero, volunteering with search-and-rescue and recovery teams at the site. Dan, who had previously responded to the New York Telephone Fire in 1975, was later diagnosed with cancer and respiratory illness from his exposure to toxins at the World Trade Center site. Yet, he continued to fight, not just for his own health, but for his brother firefighters who faced life-threatening illnesses. Let us honor Dan’s memory by continuing his fight, and let us never forget the sacrifice he made. Many of us knew him not just as a hero, but also as a dear friend. We will miss you, Dan.

"A recent study found that individuals who were exposed to Ground Zero toxins in Lower Manhattan on and after 9/11 were about 40 times as likely to suffer from early-onset dementia compared with the population as a whole. "Given the enormous risks involved, the World Trade Center Health Program should do the right thing and screen the more than 100,000 responders and survivors who are already enrolled in the program for dementia. "If additional research confirms that toxic exposure at Ground Zero contributes to early-onset dementia, 9/11 responders and survivors should become eligible for free medical care from the health program and compensation awards from the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. "The cognitive function study, by a research team at Stony Brook University, examined 5,000 responders — at a median age of 53 — who were exposed to dust and other debris from the World Trade Center site. With more exposure to toxins, the incidence of early-onset dementia correspondingly increased. "During a five-year period, 228 of the responders in the study developed early-onset dementia, a dramatically higher incidence than the average rate of 1.2 in 1,000. "At this time, neither the health program nor the compensation fund includes early-onset dementia among the covered conditions eligible for free health care and compensation awards. "The air in Lower Manhattan on and after 9/11 was polluted with pulverized glass and concrete, asbestos, chromium, benzene and many other harmful particulates, released by the collapse of the World Trade Towers. "After officials from the E.P.A. claimed 'the air is safe to breathe,' 400,000 office workers, teachers and students, and residents returned to their workplaces, schools, and homes in the area in Lower Manhattan. "They joined more than 100,000 responders and volunteers in the exposure zone during the eight-month rescue and recovery operations. "We later learned that anyone in the Ground Zero exposure zone has an increased risk of severe respiratory illness and 69 different types of cancer, including skin cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer. "Sadly, everyone has their own story of watching a family member or a friend experience cognitive decline that ultimate results in total disability. "Tragically, a cure for dementia does not yet exist. Early treatment could help to manage the condition and help the entire family. "Just as 9/11 community members need to understand their risk of cancer and respiratory illness and focus on early detection, these same responders and survivors must also confront the threat of early-onset dementia. "If you were there in the Lower Manhattan exposure zone, you should have a screening for early-onset dementia – even if you are currently healthy. If you were there, you simply cannot afford to ignore the risk."

Michael Barasch, the Managing Partner of Barasch & McGarry - Lawyers for the 9/11 Community, published an essay on NorthJersey about the increased risk of early-onset dementia for 9/11 responders and survivors: "A recent study found that individuals who were exposed to Ground Zero toxins in Lower Manhattan on and after 9/11 were about 40 times as likely to suffer from early-onset dementia compared with the population as a whole. "Given the enormous risks involved, the World Trade Center Health Program should do the right thing and screen the more than 100,000 responders and survivors who are already enrolled in the program for dementia. "If additional research confirms that toxic exposure at Ground Zero contributes to early-onset dementia, 9/11 responders and survivors should become eligible for free medical care from the health program and compensation awards from the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. "The cognitive function study, by a research team at Stony Brook University, examined 5,000 responders — at a median age of 53 — who were exposed to dust and other debris from the World Trade Center site. With more exposure to toxins, the incidence of early-onset dementia correspondingly increased. "During a five-year period, 228 of the responders in the study developed early-onset dementia, a dramatically higher incidence than the average rate of 1.2 in 1,000. "At this time, neither the health program nor the compensation fund includes early-onset dementia among the covered conditions eligible for free health care and compensation awards. "The air in Lower Manhattan on and after 9/11 was polluted with pulverized glass and concrete, asbestos, chromium, benzene and many other harmful particulates, released by the collapse of the World Trade Towers. "After officials from the E.P.A. claimed 'the air is safe to breathe,' 400,000 office workers, teachers and students, and residents returned to their workplaces, schools, and homes in the area in Lower Manhattan. "They joined more than 100,000 responders and volunteers in the exposure zone during the eight-month rescue and recovery operations. "We later learned that anyone in the Ground Zero exposure zone has an increased risk of severe respiratory illness and 69 different types of cancer. "Sadly, everyone has their own story of watching a family member or a friend experience cognitive decline that ultimate results in total disability. "Tragically, a cure for dementia does not yet exist. Early treatment could help to manage the condition and help the entire family. "Just as 9/11 community members need to understand their risk of cancer and respiratory illness and focus on early detection, these same responders and survivors must also confront the threat of early-onset dementia."

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.