Disability Law

Zadroga WTC 9/11 Victims Compensation Bill Deal Reached in Senate ... Finally!

By Troy Rosasco

The New York Daily News just reported that a deal on the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 has just been reached in the United States Senate.  ABC News also has an excellent story on the Zadroga 9/11 deal here. This is great news for the victims and families who have waited so long for this day to come.

Just last night, Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma was threatening to block the Zadroga 9/11 WTC bill, and according to the Daily News report, it appears that he negotiated significant modifications to gain his support. Specifically, the original 10 year,$7.4 billion treatment and compensation package has now been trimmed to 5 years and $4.3 billion. 

It reopens the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund  and caps attorney fees at 10%, which is fair.  According to the Daily News, it also bars first responders who will collect from the recent 9/11 lawsuit settlement from "double-dipping" (as if this was their first concern!). My clients just want to get healthy and protect their families financial future.    

More details on the actual bill that will be passed and signed into law will be filtering out soon and we will post the final version of the bill here.  For now, let's celebrate winning a hard fought battle for a bill, which while probably not perfect, is certainly better than no bill at all.

As always, feel free to contact Troy Rosasco with questions about eligibility at 1-877-693-2529 x123.  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all our heroes. Stay tuned for further details.

Full post as published by The New York Disability Law Blog on December 22, 2010 (boomark / email).