$369,454 Awarded For September 11th Related Illness
A Toms River man who suffered from post inflammatory pulmonary fibrosis as a result of working around ground zero following the World Trade Center attacks was awarded $369,454 from the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund.
The Toms River man was employed with the NYC Transit Authority as a locksmith and carpenter. Following the 9-11 attacks he performed clean up work in the “NYC Exposure Zone” from September 11, 2001 through December 19, 2002.The “NYC Exposure Zone” is a designated area in Manhattan, south of the line that runs along Canal Street from the Hudson River to the intersection of Canal Street and East Broadway, north on East Broadway to Clinton Street and east on Clinton Street to the East River, according to the victim’s attorney, James Maggs of Maggs & McDermott of Wall, NJ.
The petitioner worked 16 hours a day in the “NYC Exposure Zone” for the first three months following the 9-11 attacks, and then 54 hours a weeks through December 19, 2002. His duration of exposure totaled over 595 hours, according to Maggs. The man first began experiencing breathing issues on April 20, 2016 and was subsequently diagnosed with interstitial lung disease, says Maggs.
On behalf of their client, Maggs & McDermott submitted an application to the 9-11 Victim Compensation Fund on October 21, 2016.The Fund determined that their client was entitled to $426,532 as a result of his economic losses, and $90,000 for non-economic losses. A reduction of $147,077 was applied for social security benefits, resulting in a net award of $369,454, according to Maggs.
The client has been receiving treatment from the World Trade Center Health Program which has recommended that he undergo an immediate bilateral lung transplant. He is currently seeking treatment from University of Pennsylvania Medicine Lung Transplant Program and Temple University Lung Center.
*Results may vary depending on particular facts and legal circumstances