The Governor of New York is introducing legislation to include more workers into the diability class surrounding those with World Trade Center illness. Thousands of people that worked at Ground Zero believe that breathing in the toxic fumes and debris is now responsible for their health problems.
More than 1,000 were denied the benefits because they hadn’t had physical exams before they were hired, which had been a requirement to obtain the benefit under legislation adopted during the administration of former Gov. George Pataki. Paterson’s proposal would allow the workers to offer medical records documenting their health before Sept. 11 instead.
The bill would also cover anyone that worked at Ground Zero in the first 48 hours after the attack. It would also cover state and county correction officers, 911 dispatchers, and deputy sheriffs. 1,800 may be eligible for the benefits if the bill passes the state legislature.
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