Parker Waichman LLP, a national law firm that has spent many years fighting to ensure that the heroes of the 9/11 terrorist attacks are never forgotten, applauds United States Senator Steve Daines (Republican-Montana) for cosigning a bill to permanently extend the Zadroga Act, bill number HR.1786 on October 13, 2015. The Zadroga Act provides aid to 9/11 responders and survivors through two programs: The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF), which provides compensation, and the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program, which provides medical treatment and monitoring. Funding for the WTC Health Program is slated to end this month and the VCF is set to expire in October 2016. Over 70,000 people are monitored through the WTC Health Program, and 33,000 receive medical treatment.
Parker Waichman comments that many ailing responders depend on Zadroga Act benefits. Many of these individuals are suffering from serious medical conditions, such as cancer and chronic respiratory illnesses, because of their selfless actions, said Matthew J. McCauley, Senior Litigation Counsel at the firm. They and their families deserve benefits.
The firm applauds Senator Daines and other lawmakers who support our 9/11 heroes by cosigning the Zadroga Reauthorization bill, said Mr. McCauley. Permanently extending these benefits can help save lives.
Parker Waichman actively worked toward the 2010 passage of the Zadroga Act, including taking part in lobbying efforts and trips to the nation's capital, often along with the firm's clientsother responders and survivors. The firm continues its lobbying effort toward permanent extension of the Act. The firm remains dedicated to fighting for the rights of responders and survivors and was recently involved in research on, and creation of, the Take Action tool that allows responders, survivors, and advocates the ability to review Congress members' activities concerning the upcoming expiration of the James Zadroga Act. The Tool, which may be accessed at: [Renew 911 Health Organization's website](http://www.renew911health.org/coalition-organizations/).
The firm comments that a number of 9/11 advocates are waiting to see whether presidential candidates will support permanent extension of the Zadroga Act. According to an announcement issued by the Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act on October 11, 2015, the organization sent a brief questionnaire to some presidential candidates in August asking whether they support the Zadroga Reauthorization Act. The group sent the questionnaires to Jeb Bush, Ben Carson, Chris Christie, Ted Cruz, Mike Huckabee, Bobby Jindal, John Kasich, Rand Paul, Marco Rubio, Donald Trump, and Jim Webb, candidates who publicly remembered 9/11 heroes but who have not declared whether they support the Zadroga Act. According to the announcement by Citizens, none of these candidates have responded, thus far. We may have to add amnesia to the list of 9/11-related medical conditions. Way too many politicians wrap themselves in the heroism of 9/11 first responders and then ignore those same heroes' pleas for help. This year, we are determined to call out this hypocrisy. 9/11 health and compensation programs are expiring, Congress must renew them soon, and those who would lead our nation should at least say, one way or another, whether they support helping the heroes who aided our nation following an act of war. said Richard Alles, Deputy Chief of the New York City Fire Department and Board Member of Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act. http://www.renew911health.org/pres-candidates-on-sept-11th-never-forget-911-heroes-pres-candidates-on-sept-12th-who/
Parker Waichman continues to fight, alongside Ground Zero first responders, survivors, and their advocates, to help ensure passage of Zadroga Act amendments, and vows to continue its efforts to safeguard these heroes and ensure that they receive all of the Zadroga Act compensation they deserve. If you or a loved one are eligible for compensation under the Act, and would like assistance with your claim, please visit [Parker Waichman's website or call](http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/zadroga-act-wtc-world-trade-center-claims-lawyer-attorney-lawsuit) 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636).
