Senator Shelby and Congresswoman Wagner Join as Co-Sponsors of Zadroga Bill

The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act seeks to permanently extend benefits to 9/11 responders and survivors. Republican Senators Richard Shelby (Alabama) and Jeff Flake (Arizona) and Republican Congresswoman Ann Wagner (Missouri) have just joined as co-sponsors.

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 Senator Richard Shelby (Republican-Alabama), Congresswoman Ann Wagner (Republican-Missouri), and Jeff Flake (Republican-Arizona) for cosponsoring the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act. The Zadroga Act, which was signed into law in early 2011, established the Word Trade Center (WTC) Health Program and reopened the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF). The reauthorization act aims to permanently extend these programs to ailing 9/11 responders and survivors. According to the [Congressional website,](https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/928/cosponsors?pageSort=lastToFirst) Senator Flake was the 64th Senator to join the bipartisan group of cosponsors and Rep. Wagner is the 248th cosponsor.

Congress allowed the WTC Health Program to expire on September 30, 2015. More than 33,000 people receive medical treatment through the program and more than 70,000 are being monitored. Cash reserves are being used to run the program into next year, when benefits end entirely. The VCF, which provides compensation to responders and survivors, is due to expire next fall, notes Parker Waichman.

€œWe applaud Senators Shelby and Flake and Congresswoman Wagner for joining as co-sponsors of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act," said Matthew J. McCauley, Senior Litigation Counsel at Parker Waichman. €œZadroga benefits provide a crucial lifeline to individuals who selflessly sacrificed their health and well being at a time when their country needed them most."

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 clients€”other responders and survivors. The firm continues to lobby and participate in delegations that seek to permanently extend the Act and its benefits. The firm also continues to support the Zadroga Act and remains dedicated to fighting for the rights of responders and survivors. In fact, Parker Waichman was recently involved in the €œTake Action" tool that allows responders, survivors, and advocates the ability to review their Congresspersons' activities concerning the upcoming expiration of the James Zadroga Act. Parker Waichman assisted with the research on, and creation of, the Tool, which may be accessed at: Renew 911 Health Organization's website.

The firm comments that exposure to the toxic dust cloud that hovered during and following the 9/11 terrorist attacks has been linked to a number of serious medical conditions, including respiratory illness and cancer. Recently, [The Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine](http://journals.lww.com/joem/Fulltext/2015/10000/NYPD_Cancer_Incidence_Rates_1995_2014_Encompassing.16.aspx) published a study revealing that cancer rates increased among NYPD members in the period after 9/11 when compared to prior the attacks. In particular, the study found a roughly 3.27-fold increased risk of brain cancer and kidney cancer. The rates of thyroid cancer and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma increased 2.29-fold and 1.68-fold, respectively, in the post-exposure period. €œTime is running out for our 9/11 heroes," said Mr. McCauley. €œIf Congress wants to help save their lives, they need to permanently reauthorize the Zadroga bill now."

Parker Waichman will not stop fighting alongside Ground Zero first responders, survivors, and 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. Do determine eligibility for compensation under the Act and with assistance with a claim, please visit [Parker Waichman's website](http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/zadroga-act-wtc-world-trade-center-claims-lawyer-attorney-lawsuit) or call 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636).

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