Parker Waichman LLP

Program Created to Help Obtain Medical Equipment for 9/11 First Responders

  9/11 First Responders Necessary Medical Equipment. In a heartwarming story reported by NY1 Staten Island, a terminally ill first responder who spent weeks after the 9/11 terror attacks assisting in rescue and recovery efforts has finally received a motorized wheelchair. In December of 2017, Sal Turturici, a father of three who lives in Staten […]

Program Created to Help 9/11 First Responders Obtain Necessary Medical Equipment

 

9/11 First Responders Necessary Medical Equipment. In a heartwarming story reported by NY1 Staten Island, a terminally ill first responder who spent weeks after the 9/11 terror attacks assisting in rescue and recovery efforts has finally received a motorized wheelchair.

In December of 2017, Sal Turturici, a father of three who lives in Staten Island, gratefully accepted a motorized wheelchair from the Ray Pfeifer Foundation.

Turturici had just begun a career as an emergency medical technician shortly after terrorists flew commercial jetliners into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. A fourth plane, directed toward the U.S. Capitol, instead crashed into a field in Pennsylvania after passengers thwarted the efforts of terrorists.

Turturici’s first assignment as a new EMT was to spend months and months in rescue and recovery efforts after the attacks on September 11, 2001.

In 2015, Turturici was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer. His doctors told him that his illness was caused by the time he spent at Ground Zero.

Not too long after Turturici received his devastating diagnosis, he crossed paths with a retired firefighter named Ray Pfeifer. Pfeifer had also been diagnosed with cancer, and, like Turturici, his diagnosis was also caused by the time he spent working at Ground Zero.

Pfeifer dedicated much of his time to advocating for the Zadroga Act, which provides healthcare monitoring and services to those impacted by 9/11. Eligible individuals include survivors, first responders, and recovery workers. Though he was ill, Pfeifer traveled to Washington, D.C. multiple times to express his support for the act.

During his trips to Washington, D.C., Pfeifer realized that certain types of medical equipment, such as wheelchairs and scooters, are not covered by health insurance. This was a real problem for many victims of 9/11, as their injuries and illnesses severely limited their mobility.

For example, Turturici’s liver cancer makes him tire easily. When he received his motorized wheelchair, he said, “It’ll let me do the right thing and make sure that I can hang out with my kids, and be with my kids and do it all, and make memories.”

Pfeifer passed away in May of 2017. Shortly after his death, the Ray Pfeifer foundation was launched, its goal is to help 9/11 victims obtain wheelchairs and other medical equipment they need.

Turturici’s motorized wheelchair is the first gift from the Ray Pfeifer Foundation. The foundation is still quite new and is working to locate first responders and other victims who need help. Of Turturici’s motorized wheelchair, Pfeifer’s son, Terence, said, “Help him out, get him mobility, because I know it was a big issue for my dad. For him to be able to get this is great.”

According to the Fire Department of New York, there are more than 10,000 individuals who have been diagnosed with illnesses and cancers that are directly related to their work at Ground Zero. Hopefully, the Ray Pfeifer Foundation will be able to easily locate these individuals and help them get the medical equipment they need.

More about the Zadroga Act-are you or a loved one eligible?

The impact of the 9/11 terror attacks did not cease once that Tuesday ended. The attacks were just the beginning of a nightmare for many victims, including those who simply lived, attended school or worked in the area around Ground Zero.

When the World Trade Center collapsed, a massive amount of carcinogens and other toxins were released into the air. These harmful chemicals hovered over Ground Zero for weeks and weeks. Many first responders, volunteers, and others who were in the area during this time have been diagnosed with certain types of cancers and respiratory illnesses. Many of these illnesses take several years to manifest.

President Obama signed the James L. Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act into law in 2011. The law created the World Trade Center Health Program and reopened the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, which had originally stopped taking applications in 2003.

The World Trade Center Health Program provides treatment and monitoring for 9/11 victims. The World Trade Center Health Program works closely with the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund. A victim may undergo a disability evaluation through the World Trade Center Health Program and then submit the necessary paperwork to receive compensation from the September 11 Victim Compensation Act.

Eligible claimants are not limited to current New York City residents. Anyone who was injured during or after the 9/11 terror attacks may be eligible for compensation.

The following groups may be eligible for compensation:

  • Fire Department of New York City members
  • Police Department of New York City members
  • Port Authority Police of New York and New Jersey members
  • Any individuals who worked onsite, including volunteers
  • Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of New York City and other morgue employees
  • Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corporation tunnel employees
  • Vehicle maintenance workers
  • Those who lived, attended school or worked around Ground Zero

The eligible area around Ground Zero is defined as the area of Manhattan below Houston Street, as well as blocks in Brooklyn that are within a 1.5-mile radius of where the World Trade Center once stood.

In Washington, D.C. and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, responders are eligible for benefits. These responders include volunteers, recovery and/or cleanup workers, police department members, and fire department members.

What illnesses are covered?

The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund covers a wide range of cancers and respiratory illnesses. These include:

  • Blood Cancers
  • Lymphoid Cancers
  • Bone Cancers
  • Breast Cancers
  • Childhood Cancers
  • Digestive System Cancers
  • Eye Cancers
  • Head and Neck Cancers
  • Reproductive Organ Cancers
  • Respiratory Cancers
  • Skin Cancers
  • Soft tissue Cancers
  • Thyroid Cancers
  • Urinary System Cancers
  • Mesothelioma and other diseases linked to Asbestos
  • Certain Rare Cancers
  • Interstitial Lung Diseases
  • Polymyositis and Myositis
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
  • Emphysema
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

There are other injuries that may also be eligible for compensation.

How long do I have to file a claim?

If you have an injury that is eligible for benefits, you have two years from the date you know or should have known that your injuries were related to the September 11 attacks to file a claim. If the individual has died, survivors have two years from the date of death to apply for benefits.

Medical issues are often not black and white. It may be difficult to determine if an injury is linked to the September 11 attacks. Therefore, it is smart to seek the assistance of an attorney as soon as possible so that you may learn about your legal options. Many individuals are still unaware that they are eligible for compensation under these federal programs. By consulting with an attorney and submitting the proper paperwork to these programs, you will know if you are eligible for benefits. If you never discuss your health condition with an attorney, you may lose your right to seek compensation and be wholly responsible for your expenses.

Contact Parker Waichman LLP Today Regarding 9/11 First Responders

At Parker Waichman LLP, we are proud to represent 9/11 victims and their families. During your Free 9/11 Injury Consultation, we will go over your legal options. To schedule your free consultation, call 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529).

[sc name=”post-footers”]


 

Further Zadroga Act resources:

911 Cancer Claims
911 Claims
VCF Benefits
WTC Health Program Covered Conditions
World Trade Center Health Program
WTC VCF
Zadroga Fund Benefits
911 Prostate Cancer Lawyers
911 Melanoma claims
911 Mesothelioma claims
911 Lymphoma claims
911 Leukemia claims
Zadroga Reauthorization Act
What Our Clients Say About Us
We have worked with thousands of clients and we appreciate them and their positive reviews. Here are just a few recent client reviews...
5 Star Reviews 150
Parker Waichman handled the case for my dad who had bed sores.The team was very professional.The paralegal Michele Josama who was assigned to the case was an absolute pleasure to deal with.She was always so helpful in every way.Her patience and kindness was outstanding.Michael Zaransky the attorney on the case was very attentive to all our requests and delivered a result that we were very pleased with.Parker Waichman will certainly be recommended to anyone I know that needs legal assistance!!
richard nissenbaum
5 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
Parker Waichman is a great law firm. They are very professional and always follow up with me to make sure my appointments went well. They always return my emails and telephone calls in a timely manner. It is a great pleasure to work with Julie, Maryann and Jorge, they are making me feel stress free during this process. I will definitely recommend all my friends to Parker Waichman.
Adrien peniche
5 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
Excellent customer service provided by Nicole. Very strong communication, providing updates and good follow ups. Overall very good experience dealing with PW; Nicole was very professional and always had a great attitude.
Sonia Castro
a month ago

Why Choose Us to Help You?

We Take Care of Everything
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
No Recovery = No Legal Fees
We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that we only get paid from a portion of your settlement or jury award. If you don't get compensation, you owe us nothing.
Decades of Experience
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
Respected by Our Peers
Judges, insurance adjusters, and fellow attorneys all speak highly of our skills, and we've earned numerous accolades, including a flawless rating from AVVO.
We Have Many Locations To Serve You
We have the experience and the skilled litigators to win your case. Contact us and speak with a real attorney who can help you.
Long Island – Nassau
Parker Waichman LLP
6 Harbor Park Drive
Port Washington, NY 11050
Long Island – Suffolk
Parker Waichman LLP
201 Old Country Road – Suite 145
Melville, NY 11747
New York
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038
Queens
Parker Waichman LLP
118-35 Queens Boulevard, Suite 400
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Brooklyn
Parker Waichman LLP
300 Cadman Plaza West
One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
New Jersey
Parker Waichman LLP
80 Main Street, Suite 265
West Orange, NJ 07052
Florida
Parker Waichman LLP
27299 Riverview Center Boulevard
Suite 108
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
Nationwide Service
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038