“The truth about the hazardous working conditions at Ground Zero and the other cleanup areas is just beginning to emerge,” said Spano. “But these workers didn’t question what they were told about the safety of the sites – they just gave everything they had to the search and rescue effort in spite of the risks. We owe this to them.”

Spano said the legislation will provide more time for these heroic individuals such as Jimmy Nolan to file a workers’ compensation claim with the state. He said there is a second wave of 9/11 workers who are now becoming ill due to their efforts at Ground Zero.  Additionally this legislation will help those who weren’t aware of filing deadlines and shouldn’t be punished for contracting illnesses that developed after the previous extensions had passed.

“I would like to thank Assemblyman Spano for getting this legislation passed,” Nolan said.  “This extension will provide thousands of workers like me access to workers compensation benefits.”

“Even in the past few years, there has been a startling increase of ailments caused by exposure to fire, dust and debris during the World Trade Center disaster,” Spano said. “We must extend the filing period for these claims so workers and volunteers exposed to environmental hazards at Ground Zero aren’t denied the workers’ compensation benefits they truly deserve.”

Spano said the bill establishes an additional one-year period for eligible workers and volunteers filing claims under the Workers’ Compensation Law. He added that the health hazards of Ground Zero are still being identified and that the working conditions have caused hundreds of illnesses, diseases and chronic conditions.  This bill (S.2176) sponsored by Senator Andrew Lanza (R-Staten Island) currently sits in the Senate Rules Committee awaiting passage.