“Five years ago, the first responders became heroes. Today, they are victims of lung ailments, cancer and other fatal illnesses.”
This is the opening statement in TIME Magazine’s online presentation, “9/11: Still Killing”, a photo essay featuring photographs by Allen Tannenbaum. His photographs tell of the aftermath of 9/11: slow deterioration to victim’s lives due to asbestos exposure and other dangers. Below are some of the stories that Tannenbaum’s photos tell:
- NYPD Officer Cesar Borja died in a hospital on January 23, 2007 from pulmonary fibrosis. In his photo, Cesar is seen comforted by his wife, Eva, in the hospital, waiting for a lung transplant three days before his death.
- FDNY Paramedic Deborah Reeve’s body is shown at her wake. She died of cancer from working at Ground Zero. The photo is dated March 19, 2006.
- Volunteer firefighter Vincent Forras, who became ill after working for three weeks in the mass of debris left from 9/11. “I honestly believe that the number people who died on 9/11 will be far eclipsed by the number of people who will die directly because of their exposure at Ground Zero.” Vincent is photographed with a pile of medications he must now take due to his illness.
- EMT Bonnie Jean Giebfried is photographed with the uniform she wore on 9/11. She is now unable to work due to her illness, and leaves the following message for the viewers: “They’ve left us in the dust because it’s about money. Had they given us treatment from the get-go, a great majority of people would not be dying a painful, painful slow death. We’re walking time-bombs – our time is limited. And 9/11 and the exposure to toxins and not getting treated in time have shortened our lives.”
The stories pile on, one after another, as firefighters, police workers, detectives, local residents, and many others tell their stories as to how 9/11’s toxic fumes have changed their lives for the worse.
If you or someone you know is suffering from asbestos exposure, don’t delay in getting the proper treatment you deserve. Asbestos exposure attorneys – like the Law Offices of Peter G. Angelos in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Tennessee – can help you get compensation for your losses. Click here to contact the Law Offices of Peter G. Angelos.
Click here to learn more about asbestos.
*Photo from TIME Magazine’s “9/11: Still Killing” photo essay, found here. Photo of Joeseph Zadroga holding the daughter of his son, NYPD Detective James Zadroga, whose death was linked directly to 9/11 exposure. Joseph’s wife, Linda, is seen to the right.
