To preserve the right to file a 9/11-related worker’s compensation claim, you must register by August 14, 2007. Registering will allow you to make a claim no matter when a 9/11-related condition occurs. Considering that many of the contaminants that people were exposed to (such as asbestos) have long latency periods (the period of time from exposure to the occurrence of the disease) it is important to register to protect your rights (asbestos diseases can take anywhere from 10-40 years to develop). By registering before August 14, 2007 you can protect your right to free healthcare if you develop a 9/11 related illness. There is no residency or citizenship requirement to register with the New York Worker’s Compensation Board. The New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health has established a hotline (24-hour toll-free hotline is 1-866-WTC-2556) and a website (http://www.nycosh.org/911info) to promote registration