Senator Johnson Sponsors Bill To Aid World Trade Center Workers

State Senator Owen H. Johnson (4th Senate District, Babylon), Chairman of the Finance Committee, announced that he has signed on as a sponsor of legislation that would extend the time period to file a notice of claim for certain persons who sustained injury as a result of the World Trade Center rescue, recovery and cleanup operations. The bill, S.2176, is currently being considered by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

"There are many individuals who took time to help others following the 9/11 tragedy by working at the World Trade Center site and related sites," said Senator Johnson. "More and more of these individuals are experiencing health problems that are related to their efforts. This legislation would give these individuals more time to file a notice of claim against the state if they fall ill or are injured as a result of their work at the World Trade Center site or a site-related area."

Johnson explained that current law has a 90-day statutory limit for filing a notice of claim.

"It’s wrong that individuals who fall ill as a result of their efforts are not allowed to file a claim," said Senator Johnson. "I hope that we can get this important measure signed into law this session."