The World Trade Center Registry preserves the rights to workers’ compensation for those who performed rescue, recovery and cleanup after the World Trade Center attacks. Previously, in order to protect the right to claim benefits, paid workers and volunteers were required to register their participation with the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board by September 11, 2018. However, recent legislation has extended the deadline until September 11, 2022.
Paid workers and volunteers who have not already done so should promptly register, whether they have experienced symptoms or not. Registration may be completed by filing an original WTC-12 form with the Workers Compensation Board at PO Box 5205, Binghamton, NY 13902-5205 by September 11, 2022. The form may be found online at http://www.wcb.ny.gov/content/main/forms/wtc-12.pdf. This does not constitute the filing of a claim and is rather a sworn statement of participation in rescue, recovery and cleanup at the World Trade Center site in the 52 weeks following the attacks, and preserves the right file a claim without penalty.
The legislation also notes that claims that were previously denied for untimely registration may now also be reopened and the Board can reconsider the denial.
