9/11-era NYC residents, including Japanese, urged to seek compensation

NEW YORK - Twenty-five years after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, a New York attorney who has been a leading advocate for survivors is urging people, including Japanese nationals, to seek compensation through a federal program for any health issues linked to living or working near the World Trade Center site at the time.

Michael Barasch, 71, encourages all who qualify to file claims with the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, which his firm says can provide support internationally. The fund and a 9/11-related federal healthcare program for U.S. residents have both seen massive increases in civilian survivor applications in recent years, outpacing those of first responders by nearly two to one.