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American Morning

America's New War: Today First Day for Family Members Who Have Lost Loved Ones to File Death Certificate

Aired September 26, 2001 - 10:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: It should be pointed out, as you mentioned again, Paula, the first today for family members who have lost loved ones or are missing them at this time that they can file a death certificate. And it is very critical for those trying to access financial records, insurance forms and bank accounts. They have to pay mortgages. They have bills to pay. And this is one way they can start that process of acquiring that money and making sure that they are OK from this point forward.

Michael Miller, New York County Lawyers Association helped establish this here. He is with us live outside pier 94. I appreciate your time.

Tell us how difficult this is inside, not just for you as a lawyer, but the other lawyers. About 70 of them offering their time for free.

MICHAEL MILLER, ATTORNEY: Well, it is tough stuff, Bill.

But in a way, it's a healing process too, because we all want it help. We're not police officers, we're not firefighters. We're not rescue workers. We're lawyers. And this is what we can do to help these people who have lost so much.

HEMMER: It is interesting to point out, in this state five years ago, when TWA flight 800 went down, the laws started to change. In other words, when you used to have to wait three years for such a certificate, now it may take three days or possibly even a week.

MILLER: Well, with this new process, it is very expedited. It'll be a matter of days, yes.

HEMMER: And when they come here today, what particular forms do they need, and also, what questions are they asking of the attorneys themselves.

MILLER: Well, they're asking all sorts of questions. But it's more, what questions are we asking.

HEMMER: Good point.

MILLER: We need them to show us proof that their loved one was an employee at the World Trade Center, that they are next of kin. If they're married, a wedding certificate, a wedding license, I should say. If they're a registered domestic partner, the paperwork there to show that they are the proper party to be requesting a death certificate.

And we've coordinated with the major employers at the World Trade Center to give us affidavits confirming that these folks in fact were employees there, and that they appeared for work on that day, or to the best of their knowledge, they appeared for work that day, and so forth.

HEMMER: You also made the point earlier that this is the quickest way to do this, although some have said that they were somewhat offended, in their words, by having to come down here. Part, again, of this grueling process they are going through. But the point of fact, the point to be made, is that this is the quickest way, at this point?

MILLER: There is no question. And we anguished as it what would be the most compassionate to deal with this problem, and we've got folks here with the forms. If there are questions, we've got people who can answer the questions. We can take the forms en masse and make sure they get to the right place, that they will be filed properly, that they'll be reviewed quickly, and that they will get the death certificate right away. Because without it, they can't get their insurance proceeds, they can't get the IRA proceeds, the pension death benefits and the like. So this is the best way. If people don't want it come here, they don't have to. Their private attorneys can do this, and we'll will provide pro bono attorneys to help if they call up the bar association, but this way, we can make certain it is done accurately the first time and expedited for them.

HEMMER: Tough day. I wish you the best, OK, Michael.

Michael Miller here at New York County Lawyers Association working inside.

MILLER: Thanks a lot.

HEMMER: Thank you, Michael.

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