NYS Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins Encouraged by Potential 9/11 Health Settlement; Urges Workers to Weight in as Judge Holds Hearings

State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D/WF – 35^th District), the Senate sponsor of “Jimmy Nolan’s Law”, which allowed 9/11 workers a one year extension to file injury claims, announced today that she was encouraged that New York City is finally taking steps to resolve the claims of thousands of workers who have sustained long term health problems as a result of their work at the World Trade Center site.  Senator Stewart-Cousins also commends federal judge Alvin Hellerstein for holding hearings so that injured workers and their families can weigh in on whether or not the City’s proposed settlement is fair and appropriate. 

“Jimmy Nolan’s Law”, named for a Yonkers carpenter who worked to recover bodies and build ramps for fire rescue equipment and as a result has suffered debilitation health problems, extends the time that 9/11 workers can file compensation claims for injuries suffered from participating in the World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or clean up operations.  The Senator’s bill was signed into law on September 9, 2009 extending filing time by one year. 

Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins stated, “I am encouraged by Mayor Bloomberg’s settlement offer that will allow many workers at long last to move past the aftermath of this horrible tragedy and be able to make their claims.  However, I feel it is critical for those who have suffered to examine the terms of the settlement to determine whether or not it will be adequate and fair compensation based upon their own personal suffering and to make their views known to Judge Hellerstein.”  

“I am especially pleased that those impacted will have a voice in this matter thanks to Judge Hellerstein’s decision and strongly urge workers and their families to come forward,” concluded Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins.