Francesca Oliva

Two decades after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 shocked the world, thousands of responders and survivors who were exposed to toxins from the World Trade Center site are still living a nightmare. Every day, Barasch & McGarry observes how cancer, respiratory disorders and other disabling and deadly diseases linked to the exposure continue to devastate families. We are proud to have represented James Zadroga, an NYPD detective who developed pulmonary fibrosis as a result of his exposure to the WTC toxic dust. His death persuaded Congress to pass the “James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act” in 2010. The law reopened the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund, which provides benefits to people whose illnesses resulted from exposure to WTC dust and ongoing health treatment for those sickened by the toxins. When it became clear that Congress had not sufficiently funded the VCF, Michael Barasch returned to Congress with labor union members, responders, downtown office workers and residents. In 2015, Congress reauthorized and extended the Zadroga Act. The new law extended the WTC Health Program for 75 years and the VCF was given an additional $4 billion -- but it was only extended until December, 2020. From October 2018 through June 2019, Michael and the dedicated attorneys and staff of Barasch & McGarry joined dozens of FealGood Foundation volunteers to advocate on behalf of the entire 9/11 community including sick responders, downtown residents, office workers, students and teachers. Michael was there every step of the way. He was there when the Senate passed the Bill and he was invited to the Rose Garden when the President signed the permanent extension and full funding into law. Since 2011, the re-opened VCF has awarded over $5 Billion to 25,000+ responders and survivors. Barasch & McGarry has represented more sickened 9/11 victims and recovered more money from the Victim Compensation Fund (over $3 billion) than any other law firm in the country.