Several days before the 11th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, a lawyer says that the Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act will cover up to 50 types of cancer among first responders and Lower Manhattan residents.
Attorney Michael Barasch, who along with Noah Kushlefsky is handling thousands of first responders and residents’ cases, told NY1 that the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is set to announce as early as Monday that up to 50 types of cancer will be covered under the Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.
Federal medical researchers have found that the dust at the World Trade Center may have contributed to cancers, as well as respiratory disease, according to Barasch.
Cancer originally was not covered by the $4.3 billion World Trade Center health program created under the act.
Affected recovery workers and some city residents are eligible for free health treatment.
With more people receiving coverage, payments to individuals could be lower.
Lawmakers have said if cancer was eventually covered, they planned to ask the federal government for more money.
