Photo credit: David Starke
Accession Number: C.2019.47.2
Dimensions: Unavailable
Credit Line: Gift of Paul J. Napoli
Description
Three-ring binder created by Ground Zero rescue and recovery worker and Westchester County probation officer Keoni May. The inside cover of the binder is covered in various business cards for doctors' offices, hospital bracelets, prescription labels, and a medication box for Lexapro. On the right side of the binder are rows of empty pill bottles and prescription nasal sprays prescribed to Keoni May.
Historical Notes
Thousands of recovery workers suffering from health effects caused by their exposure to the toxins at Ground Zero, filed lawsuits seeking to hold government agencies and contractors accountable for inadequate safety measures. In one of the most significant suits, more than 11,000 rescue, recovery, and cleanup workers represented by the Paul Napoli at Worby Groner Edelman & Napoli Bern, sued the City of New York. The plaintiffs claimed their illnesses were due to insufficient protections in place during their work in lower Manhattan.
Keoni May is a former Westchester County probation officer and volunteer EMT who worked at Ground Zero. He assembled this binder for law firm Worby Groner Edelman & Napoli Bern to present at hearings. May was one of more than 11,000 plaintiffs in a suit against New York City, which was ultimately settled for over $725 million.