Blog
Federal Bill May Offer NJ Firefighters Cancer Detection Tests Following PFAS Exposure
Firefighters endanger their lives to protect the lives of citizens daily, so when these entrusted public servants are dealt cancer-causing equipment, it is a disgraceful disservice to their heroism. Unfortunately, firefighters across the country have been forced to utilize equipment that was supposed to protect them but was instead laden with cancer-causing PFAS, or per-…
Is Your Landlord Responsible for Deadly Fires?
When tenants rent a space to be their home, they expect safety. However, whether due to negligence or other reasons, accidents do happen. Earlier this month, the Office of the Queens County Public Administrator brought two Queens Supreme Court lawsuits against a landlord following a fatal fire that killed two young women. The suits allege…
Updates on the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Extension Legislation
House of Representatives Votes in Favor of VCF Extension On Friday, July 12th, 2019, the U.S. House of Representatives voted by a large margin to reauthorize the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund until the year 2090. The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) provides compensation to those whose health has been impacted by 9/11 and the families of…
House Judiciary Committee Votes in Favor of VCF Extension After Testimony from SPBMCC Client and Others
After powerful testimony from several key figures, including SPBMCC client and retired FDNY Lieutenant Michael O’Connell and former Daily Show host and 9/11 victims advocate Jon Stewart, the House Judiciary Committee unanimously voted in favor of an extension to the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF). The VCF will be extended through 2090. Also present…
Remembering Black Sunday Firefighters
Today marks the anniversary of the devastating Black Sunday fires in 2005, which killed or severely injured seven members of the FDNY. First, Brooklyn firefighter Richard Sclafani died when overcome by smoke at a private house fire. On that same day, five firefighters and a lieutenant became trapped in a Bronx apartment that was consumed by flames and were forced…
What Are My Rights If I Am Asked For a Drug Test?
The FDNY has a random drug testing program. When a Company is chosen by computer as the subject of a random drug test, the BITS Drug Testing Unit will come to that Company’s firehouse without notice. Presumably they will wait until the Company is in quarters before announcing their presence. When the Drug Testing Unit…
What should I do if I receive a notice or call from EEO or BITS?
The short answer is to not answer any questions and immediately call your trustee.
Often, when either BITS or EEO is conducting an investigation, they will ask to speak with Members. There are two designations that a person being interviewed will be classified as: a subject or a witness.
News and Information
Is Your Landlord Responsible for Deadly Fires?
When tenants rent a space to be their home, they expect safety. However, whether due to negligence or other reasons, accidents do happen. Earlier this month, the Office of the Queens County Public Administrator brought two Queens Supreme Court lawsuits against a landlord following a fatal fire that killed two young women. The suits allege…
A Call for Action: Protect and Provide for Healthcare Workers and First Responders amid the Coronavirus Pandemic
As Covid-19 spreads throughout New York City and to the rest of the country, our thoughts and prayers go out to those afflicted with this virus. Additionally, we feel an immense sense of gratitude to have such dedicated First Responders and Healthcare Professionals fighting this disease on the frontlines each day. To that end, we…
Sullivan Papain Block McManus Coffinas & Cannavo P.C. Secures Major VCF Awards In First Quarter Of 2017
On April 28, 2017, the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) issued its First Quarterly Report for 2017 and its findings confirm the continued success Sullivan Papain Block McManus Coffinas & Cannavo P.C. (SPBMCC) has achieved in maximizing awards for its clients. Since January 2013, when the first VCF awards were issued under the Zadroga Act,…
New Rules for VCF Claims
With the extension of the Victim Compensation Fund, updated rules for claims are now in place. Check out Sullivan Papain’s web site on the VCF for more information.
9/11 Compensation Fund Has Paid Out $1.5B
9/11 Compensation Fund Has Paid Out $1.5B To Victims of Attacks More than $1.5 billion in compensation funds has been distributed since 2011 to victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the U.S. Justice Department announced June 15. Since the Victim Compensation Fund was reopened five years ago, Special Master Sheila Birnbaum has approved final…
NYC Firefighters Disability Protection Bill Passes
More than 2,000 New York City Firefighters are a step closer to having disability protections granted to them after the New York State Assembly and Senate unanimously approved legislation granting New York City Firefighters, hired since June 2009, similar disability protections to more senior FDNY firefighters.
Bill Would Create Cancer Registry for Firefighters
WASHINGTON – Firefighters contract cancer 14% more often than other people because of the toxins they’re exposed to on the job, according to congressional lawmakers who want to establish a registry to track those cancer cases. Legislation unveiled Tuesday would create a National Firefighter Cancer Registry and direct the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to track the types of…
Government to Study Chemical Threat to Subways
The feds will spend a week in city subway stations trying to figure out how vulnerable they are to chemical or gas terrorist attacks. The Department of Homeland Security will stage several simulated airborne particle attacks in Grand Central, Times Square and Penn stations from Monday to Friday. The tests will involve sending inert tracer…
Judge Blasts FDNY for Denying Line-of-Duty Pension
The FDNY medical and pension boards acted in bad faith by denying benefits for nine years to the widow of a Sept. 11 responder, a State Supreme Court Justice ruled in a sharply-worded March 22 opinion. Brooklyn Justice Richard Velasquez granted Jackie Fernandez retroactive line-of-duty death benefits for her husband, retired Fire Lieut. Cruz Fernandez,…
Jury Awards Black Sunday Firefighters $183M in Damages
PRESS RELEASE New York, NY, February 22, 2016 – Today a Bronx jury found both the City of New York and the landlord responsible for the tragedy that occurred on January 23, 2005, a day that will forever be known as “Black Sunday” in the FDNY. The jury awarded damages to five firefighters and their…