The widow of a NYPD first responder who died of a 9/11-related illness is spending the anniversary of this year’s terrorist attacks fighting for her husband’s good. She is four years after his death.
Kathy Hanson won a lawsuit against New York City last January after her husband, Mike Hanson, died of ALS in 2018.
Hanson said that despite tests linking toxins in Hanson’s body to ground zero, his condition was not listed as an approved 9/11 illness, so she and her husband has been denied benefits 10 times so far.
Hanson said the city is now applying for an additional three-month extension to extend the lawsuit.
“I would like people like Mike and all other first responders to go there with no thought for their health or welfare and spend nine months looking for survivors and things to take home.” I am angry and appalled that they are treating me like this, their family,” Hanson said.
Last spring, dozens of state legislators wrote to Mayor Adams to reconsider the city’s position on Hanson’s 9/11 survivor benefits.
News 12 reached out to the New York City Legal Department for comment, but did not receive a response.