Senator Larkin Urges Orange And Ulster County Residents Who Aided In The Rescue, Recovery Or Cleanup Efforts Of The World Trade Center To Register With Nycosh

Senator Bill Larkin (R-C, Cornwall-on-Hudson) today informed residents of Orange and Ulster Counties who participated in rescue, recovery or cleanup work after 9/11 that they need to register by August 14, 2007 with the New York State Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH) -- even if they are not sick today.

"Without a second thought, tens of thousands of people rushed to help after the terrorist attacks," said Senator Larkin. "Thousands of others worked at the site in the year after 9/11 -- and now, over five years later, many of those responders are becoming sick and some are dying. This is why it is so important for people to register with NYCOSH. You may not have symptoms now, but could develop them in the future. If you are registered, you will be eligible for benefits."

Larkin explained that until recently, New York State Workers’ Compensation Law prevented most workers from filing a claim after two years. The Legislature enacted a new law extending the deadline for filing a claim.

If workers and volunteers who were exposed to toxic dust or psychological trauma register before August 14, 2007, they can file a claim if they become sick in the future. However, to date, less than 5,000 people have registered. Thousands of people will slip through the cracks if they miss the registration deadline.

"If you do not register and are sick or become sick later, you will not be able to file a claim," said Senator Larkin.

More information is available at www.nycosh.org.

In addition, anyone can call the NYCOSH hotline at 1-866-WTC-2556 to learn more about the new law and eligibility requirements.