subject: Learn about Zadroga Bill and its benefits [print this page] Learn about Zadroga Bill and its benefits
The James Zadroga act or Zadroga Bill is essentially a health bill that was recently passed by the U.S House of Representatives and U.S senate. The Zadroga Bill was aimed at providing medical help as well as funding to people who developed serious medical problems due to toxic and dust exposure caused by 9/11 attack on World Trade Centre. It includes mostly the survivors, site workers, firefighters and those involved in the rescue and recovery operations. The Bill was to extend help to the ground zero workers who died of respiratory diseases presumably caused due to the WTC dust and toxics. The persons having physical disabilities and financial loses due to 9/11 are also entitled to the alms of the Zadroga Bill.
The Zadroga Bill took its name from James Zadroga (1971-2006) an officer at the New York City police department (NYPD) who died of the respiratory diseases that are believed to have caused by his participation in the rescue operations at the World Trade centre after the attacks. He was the first NYPD officer who succumbed to the respiratory troubles post 9/11. He developed asthma and other respiratory ailments along with a persistent cough and finally death. He was 34 when he died and the causes for his death were debated a lot amongst the various agencies. Few agencies advocated the presence of WTC dust in his lungs where as some agencies termed it as presence of unidentified' materials in the lungs that had nothing to do with the toxics exposure at WTC and there was a third opinion on the presence of glass fibers in his lungs.
The Zadroga Bill before taking its final shape had to travel the distance of nine long years- a journey full of controversies and disputes. The Zadroga Bill was introduced by the federal legislation in order to provide medical benefits to those who were the first responders at the WTC and to those who worked at ground zero and as a result were suffering from fatal diseases. The bill was not passes in its original form and had to be modified into a new version. Initially the bill proposed spending of $7.4billion in 10 years which was the major concern. The republicans blocked the bill over the matter of appropriateness of spending such a huge amount. The Republican filibuster was followed by series of discussions and war of words amongst the senators.
The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and compensation act of 2010 also known as Zadroga Bill received the final approval on December 22, 2010 in its modified form (now spending $4.3 billion in 5 years) and President Barack Obama signed it into law on January 2, 2011. Till now many people have filed their claims under Zadroga bill and have successfully managed to get what they deserve. For filing a lawsuit under Zadroga bill, you need to hire an experienced Zadroga lawyer as he would present your case in a proper manner in front of the judge and would make sure you get your due justice.
