ALBANY, N.Y., May 8 – Legislation introduced in both houses of the New York State Legislature would amend the workers compensation law to provide for future manifestations in workers and volunteers of illness resulting from the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on 9/11.

The bill provides for presumptive eligibility for workers and volunteers who assisted on or after 9/11, linking specific diseases and injuries to their work at Ground Zero. Senator Andrew J. Lanza (R/I-Richmond) said the bill adds a section to the workers compensation law stating that employees and volunteers who worked in the rescue, recovery, or cleanup efforts at Ground Zero, Fresh Kills Landfill, or barges transporting debris between the locations are presumptively eligible for workers compensation claims for certain qualifying conditions related to the work.

Senator Kenneth P. LaValle (R/C/I-Suffolk) said the bill builds upon the August 2006 law extending the statute oflimitations for 9/11 rescue, recovery, andcleanup workers. Claims made by these people have been denied at twice the rate of non-9/11 claims. This legislation will help ensure that those who became ill due to their work helping New York are adequately compensated, according to Lavalle. I will also ameliorate the challenges that injured workers face, including having a heavy burden to prove their claims, and being forced to expend both time and financial resources to receive their rightful compensation, said LaValle.

These heroes deserve the opportunity to focus on improving their health without fear of not having the income they need to pay for treatment, LaValle declared.

Assemblyman Jonathan L. Bing (D-New York) is the Assembly sponsor.