FDNY denied 9/11 disability benefits for firefighter who suffered depression, PTSD until his death at mental hospital

Firefighter Joe Battista is seen in an undated photo.

Firefighter Joe Battista is seen in an undated photo.

(HANDOUT)

Joe Battista lived the life of a hero — and it cost him his mind.

The retired FDNY firefighter who spent months at Ground Zero after the 9/11 attacks died in obscurity at a Florida mental hospital suffering from a crippling depression and posttraumatic stress disorder, his family said.

Battista’s long struggle with PTSD ended April 5, when he choked to death on some food while being cared for at the institution. He was 63.

Yet in life, and now in death, the FDNY has refused to grant Battista World Trade Center-related disability benefits — a move his grieving family members call “an outrage.”

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3 Responses to FDNY denied 9/11 disability benefits for firefighter who suffered depression, PTSD until his death at mental hospital

  1. sasha April 17, 2018 at 7:00 am #

    This is a shame. This is a problem with the law and how people do not understand how PTSD can affect health and life. He should have been covered. In fact, there are many more people who left their jobs due to ptsd from 911 and cannot botany benefits except thru the health program because the law only covers active members. Not fair.
    There are also many peopl we who lost their jobs, had a change on behaviors, committed suicide or crimes or divorce ,,etc,.. due to 911 and they sadly fall through the cracks.

    • FDNY.NET April 17, 2018 at 5:22 pm #

      Yes Sasha, you said it. This is a shame PTSD is a big problem with our 911 survivors as well as the people who helped that day and now our Military people have to deal with it.
      They should help our FDNY guys who are suffering.
      Thank you
      Barbara

  2. sasha April 17, 2018 at 1:25 pm #

    Sorry about the misspellings. Too big a fingers.

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