Zadroga claim is a ray of hope for 9/11 victims

When the world was confident about the super power USA remaining absolutely untouched by any malicious terrorist activity, the devastating 9/11 WTC attack largely busted the bubble. Infact, such was the impact of this shocking and fateful incident, that its tremors can be felt till date. As if the catastrophic loss of life and property was not enough then, life-threatening diseases mercilessly spread later amongst the members of rescue team, due to the toxic dust attack following the destructive incident.

While no amount of condolences, regret or relief remedies can make up for the tragic losses of life, hope and health caused due to the 9/11tragety, nevertheless, it is important to keep trying to bring relief. Thus, based on this belief, the government of USA is working hard to get life back on track by trying to compensate for the damages caused. And the Zadroga claim is one such initiative.

In January 2011, the president of the United States of America , signed the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 (H.R. 847), called the Zadroga Act. Under this act, all people who had contributed in the recovery and relief operations during the 9/11 attack , now suffering from its serious health repercussions – Asbestosis, Mesothelioma Cancer, Acid Reflux Disease, Obstructive Airway Diseases , Obstructive Lung Defects, occupational asthma (WTC Cough), Sarcoidosis, Asbestosis and Mesothelioma Cancer, Upper or Lower Airway Disease etc. are eligible for receiving the Zadroga claim.

The people mainly eligible for the Zadroga claim are the police officers, volunteers, building workers, clean up workers, emergency service workers, federal employees, firefighters and all other Ground Zero workers helping out during the 9/11 attack. Besides them, residents of the World Trade Center area, such as the students studying in that locality and people working in and around the attack site, are also eligible for the Zadroga claim. However, it is sad to note that the government is facing some problem identifying the genuine people eligible for the Zadroga claim. In such a case scenario, it has become mandatory for all 9/11 sufferers, wanting to apply for the Zadroga claim to provide adequate evidence, proving the extensive health as well as mental loss caused to them due to 9/11 World Trade Centre Attack.

Having said that, there is no doubt about the fact that the government genuinely sympathizes with and understands the extent of the damage caused during the 9/11 recovery and relief operations. And, it is as a result of this concern that the Zadroga claim provides for excellent health care facilities that the victim may not be able to otherwise afford. Not only this, but the Zadroga claim also extends complete financial aid to the victims, so as to enable them to shoulder the medical burden thus caused.

Besides providing the basic medical and financial support to the 9/11 victims, the Zadroga claim is also the nations way of expressing its gratitude and appreciation to these heroic workers, for their selfless act of bravely during the 9/11 rescue operations.