The law firm Turley, Hansen & Partners is available to comment on the Justice Department's new draft rules for the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund under the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 as it applies to who is eligible to receive money from the Fund and what constitutes the "Ground Zero" area.
The Justice Department, through the new Victim Compensation Fund Special Master, Sheila Birnbaum, Esq., yesterday published new rules on eligibility for the fund. Under the proposed rules, the coverage area would be expanded to cover areas in Manhattan south of Reade Street, Centre Street and the Brooklyn Bridge. However, the Justice Department added that the money would not go to those who claim to have suffered solely from mental disorders as a result of the 9/11 attacks. The draft definitions are currently subject to public comment 45 days from when the definitions were proposed.
The Zadroga Act is named after James Zadroga, a New York City police detective who died in 2006 from respiratory disease as the result of inhaling toxins while working at Ground Zero. Under the Zadroga Act, $2.8 billion will be provided for the Victims Compensation Fund.
"While we agree that the Justice Department should expand the geographic borders to make sure those who suffered from physical ailments as a result from the 9/11 attacks, we believe that those who suffered post-traumatic stress disorder should also be included," said Daniel J. Hansen, Partner, Turley, Hansen & Partners. "We believe anyone who has been seriously affected by the 9/11 attacks should be fairly compensated."
For the past nine years, the attorneys at Turley, Hansen & Partners have been representing victims of 9/11. The firm is currently accepting Zadroga Act Victim Compensation Fund cases for clients who want them to fully prepare their claims by gathering all needed medical and financial information prior to the fund's reopening this summer.
For more information, call 1 (855) WTC-INFO (982-4626) or visit www.zadrogaclaimsinfo.com.