Hansen & Rosasco, LLP

In determining if a breathing or digestive disorder is related to the exposure to the 9/11 dust and fumes the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) and the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) generally require that the victim claimant be treated and diagnosed with the condition within five years of their 9/11 exposure (a “maximum time interval”). There are exceptions to this five-year rule (also called a minimum latency period), including exacerbated or new-onset COPD and all types of interstitial lung disease (ILDs). 

Determining if a particular breathing or digestive condition is 9/11-related under the rules of the WTC Health Program and VCF is often tricky, so it’s strongly suggested that a potential 9/11 claimant get guidance and advice. Satisfying the maximum time interval and the other 9/11 program rules is essential if you want to qualify for lifetime medical treatment through the WTCHP or financial compensation through the VCF.

While the WTCHP has offered life-saving treatment, enrolling in the program and accessing care can present unique challenges. Here, we’ll explore the practicalities of seeking healthcare with the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP), including who qualifies, what to expect, and tips for a smooth experience with the WTCHP.

The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) is currently taking about 17 months to decide and make an award on a claim. On June 5, 2025, the VCF issued the guidance on the timeline of decisions on claims, as follows:

The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) defines the 9/11 NYC “Exposure Zone” as all of Lower Manhattan south of Canal Street/Clinton Street. For responders, the NYC Exposure Zone also includes additional locations where 9/11-related debris was handled, such as debris removal routes from Manhattan to the Fresh Kills landfill, as well as sites where contaminated vehicles or equipment were used or cleaned.

The World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) calls this area the Disaster Area, a larger area that includes all of Lower Manhattan south of Houston Street and several blocks of Brooklyn Heights. 

Both the VCF and WTCHP also recognize the Pentagon and the Shanksville, Pennsylvania crash site as part of the overall 9/11 Exposure Zone.

The Exposure Zone is so large that it is estimated that up to 500,000 people were exposed to the 9/11 toxins. Making matters worse, the toxins contaminated the Exposure Zone for many months, though the end of July 2002, exposing hundreds of thousands of people– residents, workers, students, and visitors– to serious cancers and other health risks. 

Chinatown is located in the heart of the 9/11 crash site disaster area. Its residents, workers, students, and visitors were all heavily exposed to the 9/11 dust and fumes, not just on 9/11, but also through the end of 2001 and into the middle of 2002. As a result of this toxic exposure, just by being present in Chinatown in 2001 and 2002, thousands of these residents, workers, and visitors have been diagnosed with a 9/11 related cancer and, in many cases, died from the complications of a 9/11 cancer or breathing condition. 

Filing a successful claim with the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) and the World Trade Center Health Program can be complicated.  While the hundreds of pages of laws, regulations, rules and policies, and procedures are complex, completing a successful application with the WTC Health Program leads to the benefit of lifetime (until 2090) 9/11 health care. In addition, once approved by the WTC Health Program and a 9/11-related cancer or other condition is certified as eligible for treatment, you have met the first step required to file a claim for compensation with the VCF, with an award that ranges from $5,000 to $4,000,000. Navigating the sometimes grueling sets of rules that govern these programs is, in most cases, worth the oftentimes difficult process given the peace of mind of having lifetime 9/11-related health coverage and an award of tax-free compensation. It does, however, help to get help. 

Let’s break down what filing a VCF claim involves, what the potential benefits and drawbacks are of filing a claim, and why, for most eligible individuals, filing is absolutely worth it, as it can be essential to securing your financial future and well-being.

May marks National Cancer Research Month, a time to recognize the vital importance of cancer research in prevention, detection, and treatment. For individuals affected by the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, this month carries additional meaning. More than two decades have passed, and thousands of 9/11 responders and downtown Manhattan residents, workers, and students who were exposed to 9/11 dust continue to face long-term health consequences, including over 70 different types of 9/11-related cancers that have been linked to toxic exposure in the aftermath of the collapse of the World Trade Center (WTC). 

The 500,000 people who were present during the many months after the 9/11 attacks – first responders, downtown workers, and residents, with many having since been diagnosed with bladder cancer, a cancer known to be caused by the 9/11 fallout. May’s Bladder Cancer Awareness Month brings into focus the known link between 9/11 exposure and bladder cancer, one of the most common cancers in the United States. 

Among the many health issues linked to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, thyroid cancer has become a growing concern for first responders, recovery workers, and those who lived, worked, or attended school in Lower Manhattan after 9/11. The toxic cloud of dust and debris released during the collapse of the World Trade Center (WTC) led to a significant increase in the risk of thyroid cancer among those present. Recognizing the symptoms of thyroid cancer early is essential for timely diagnosis and treatment. Here, we’ll explore the connection between thyroid cancer and 9/11, the symptoms to watch for, the importance of ongoing screening, especially for the 9/11 community, and the support available through the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) and the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF).

The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, changed the course of American history, but the impact did not end with the immediate destruction and loss of life. In the months and years following the attacks on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon, thousands of first responders, recovery workers, and downtown Manhattan workers, residents, and students were exposed to toxic dust and debris, leading to a wide range of serious health issues. More than two decades later, the death toll from 9/11 continues to rise and now far outnumbers the number of deaths on that day, as cancers, respiratory diseases, digestive issues, and mental health conditions linked to the attacks emerge.