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9/11 Victim Compensation Fund

Guardian Legal Network is not currently processing claims for this lawsuit.

After the horrific terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center that occurred on September 11, 2001, many people blamed negligent airlines for allowing the hijackers to board the aircraft. The sheer number of lawsuits and the amount of money that could have been claimed was expected to bankrupt commercial airlines. To ensure compensation is available without harming airlines, the WTC Health Program and the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) were created to provide funds to victims and their families. 

A portion of this funding has been set aside to pay brave first responders and diligent workers who assisted in cleaning up the debris. The wreckage of the incident caused toxic dust to spread throughout Lower Manhattan for months, and those exposed to it have developed severe diseases and illnesses, including cancer. Research is still being conducted to determine how the toxic dust at Ground Zero contributed to cancer, the severity of the situation, and what other illnesses it may have caused. 

Studies show that there is a link between the debris of 9/11 and cancer. After being exposed to the toxic substances in the air around the World Trade Center, victims who have been diagnosed with cancer or other severe illness may be eligible to register and file a claim for compensation with the VCF. For help with registration and filing a claim, those affected by 9/11 dust exposure can work with an experienced 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund lawyer.

The Guardian Legal Network can connect you with a qualified legal professional who can help you register or file a claim with the VCF.

What is the 9/11 VCF?

The 9/11 VCF is a federal program administered by the Department of Justice under the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. This program provides compensation to specific individuals who were in the exposure area. The primary criteria for qualifying individuals include those who were:

  • Exposed to toxic debris in New York City between September 11th, 2001 and May 30th, 2002
  • Present during the incident in Shanksville, PA, and the Pentagon
  • Diagnosed with a severe illness related to the 9/11 terrorist attacks

The “Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act” was officially signed into law on July 12, 2019, and became a fully-funded federal program. The VCF is known for staying true to the statute and being a fair funding source for claimants.

9/11 NYC Exposure Area Linked to Cancer

Hundreds of thousands of people were exposed to toxic waste and dust during rescue, recovery, and cleanup efforts after the 9/11 terrorist attack. The “NYC Exposure Zone” is the area that was highly exposed to toxic substances and generally consisted of areas south of Canal Street. The amount of force caused by the collapsing buildings created strong winds that spread dust throughout Lower Manhattan. The specific toxic substances in the dust and air may never be identified because not many accurate measurements were taken immediately following the incident.

As fires burned and toxic dust was spread throughout the city, survivors were unknowingly exposed to deadly carcinogens. A unique type of chronic cough termed the “World Trade Center cough” was eventually discovered among 9/11 survivors and first responders. The cough caused other symptoms such as acid reflux, wheezing, breathlessness, and nasal congestion.

Who Is at Risk of 9/11-Related Health Problems?

According to the CDC, the exposure area determined at risk for exposure to carcinogens such as asbestos, benzene, mercury, and lead include the following:

  • Areas of Manhattan south of Houston Street
  • Any area in Brooklyn that was within a 1.5-mile radius of the World Trade Center

The individuals who are most at risk fall into one of the following groups:

  • First Responders and Volunteer Workers – The first victims of the toxic debris served on the frontline. Completely healthy individuals understood the health risks, but they continued to provide help. Unfortunately, these brave men and women continue to develop diseases and illnesses. A 2011 study showed that firefighters exposed to the World Trade Center’s dust were more than 19 percent likely to develop cancer than the rest of the population. 
  • Construction, Sanitation, and Cleanup Workers – The aftermath of 9/11 involved disposing of contaminated waste and debris, which put numerous workers at risk of adverse health effects. The workers who helped rebuild and restore the crash site areas are just now being diagnosed with various forms of cancer due to its long latency period.
  • Residents, Workers, Teachers, and Students – Even those who were not directly present in the wreckage may have been exposed to harmful substances in the air. Almost ten years after the terrorist attacks, cancers and other diseases are beginning to emerge among this group of people who thought they were safe.

Types of Illness Caused by 9/11

The toxic waste and debris resulting from the terrorist attacks caused many different types of adverse health effects. Victims may qualify for compensation with the VCF for the following illnesses:

  • Acid reflux disease
  • Asbestosis
  • Asthma
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Chronic rhinitis
  • Chronic sinusitis
  • Interstitial lung disease
  • Obstructive airway diseases
  • Pulmonary fibrosis
  • Reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS)

In addition to the illnesses listed above, victims may also qualify for compensation with the VCF if they have been diagnosed with cancers such as:

  • Breast cancer
  • Leukemia
  • Lung cancer
  • Lymphoma
  • Melanoma skin cancer
  • Non-melanoma skin cancer
  • Prostate cancer
  • Thyroid cancer

9/11 VCF Deadlines for Registration & Claims

It is imperative that anyone experiencing a respiratory illness or any form of cancer due to 9/11 register to file a claim as soon as possible. While the VCF has extended its claim filing deadline to October 1, 2090, administrators encourage individuals to file their claim shortly after being certified by the WTC Health Program as suffering from 9/11-related health conditions. Victims should also file their claim soon after the full scope of their injuries are realized. Individuals have the option of working with a 9/11 Victim Fund Compensation lawyer to ensure all documentation is correct and all deadlines are met.

Individuals suffering from 9/11-related health issues should also know that a separate deadline has been set for registering with the VCF to preserve their right to file a claim in the future. Registering with the VCF does not waive any legal rights, and you are not required to file a claim after registering. This is simply a process put in place to help prepare and notify the VCF that you may be a potential claimant. There are two registration deadlines, and they apply to specific circumstances:

1. July 29, 2021 Deadline – Individuals certified by the WTC Health Program for health issues related to 9/11 before July 29, 2019, are required to register their claim by July 29, 2021. This deadline also applies to qualifying victims in the following circumstances:

  • Did not know about the VCF or were previously not open to receiving compensation from the VCF
  • Did not know their condition was related to 9/11
  • Did not know they qualified for compensation
  • Did not know about the new deadline (previously December 2020)
  • Has not been certified as suffering from 9/11-related health issues or if a condition was certified after July 29, 2019
  • Filing a claim for someone who died due to a 9/11-related health condition before July 29, 2019
  • Filing a claim for someone who died due to a 9/11-related health condition after July 29, 2019 

2. Two Years After WTC Health Program Certification – Individuals have two years from the latest date on which they are certified by the WTC Health Program to register with the VCF. If you are filing a claim for someone who allegedly died due to a 9/11-related health condition after July 29, 2019, you also have two years after the date of death to register with the VCF.

Find an Experienced 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund Lawyer

The extended deadlines for the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund benefit many eligible people to file a claim. While this gives more time for those experiencing 9/11-related health problems to file a claim, strict filing requirements still apply.

If you are eligible to file a claim with the VCF or believe you qualify, contact The Guardian Legal Network to connect with a 9/11 Victim Fund Compensation lawyer who specializes in securing compensation for 9/11 exposure victims.

Guardian Legal Network is not currently processing claims for this lawsuit.

References

Please seek the advice of a medical professional before making health care decisions. The content provided on this site, such as documents, text, graphics, images, videos, or other materials, are for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a physician for diagnosis and treatment of any medical condition or for any questions you may have regarding a health concern. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or seen on this site.

 
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