Hansen & Rosasco, LLP

Multiple types of cancers – including rare cancers such as soft tissue cancers – have been linked to exposure to the toxic cloud of dust and debris that covered Manhattan in the weeks and months following the 9/11 attacks. In the years since the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center (WTC), an alarming increase in various health issues has been revealed not only in the first responders, but also at an alarming rate in Downton residents, office and other workers, and students. 

What is the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund? 

The VCF is a federal program to provide financial compensation to individuals who were injured or lost loved ones as a result of their presence at one of the sites of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, including all people present (first responders and civilian residents, workers, and students) of lower Manhattan south of Can Street present between 9/11 and May 30, 2002. The VCF provides for both economic and non-economic losses from  9/11-related injury or death to those who qualify.

Securing an award from the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) is often an important step in managing the physical, emotional, and financial hardships of 9/11-related health conditions. Receiving a VCF award, however, doesn't mark the end of the road. Instead, it provides a stepping stone to creating long-term financial stability and security.

If you or a loved one submitted a claim for financial compensation to the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) and the claim was denied, the situation can feel discouraging. It may seem like you've hit a wall. We want to assure you, however, that a denial from the VCF is not a dead end, but rather a hurdle that can be surmounted with the right assistance and knowledge.

Awards made by the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) are not subject to federal taxes, even any part of a VCF award that is to replace lost earnings or wages. IRS Publication 3920 is clear that any amounts awarded and paid by the VCF are not income subject to taxes: ”Payments from the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 are not included in income.”

After the 9/11 attacks, between 400,000 and 500,000 civilian workers, residents, and students were exposed to the millions of pounds of toxins that were released and hung in the air and on the ground until mid 2002. Tens of thousands of these people have developed 9/11-related illnesses, including various types of 9/11 cancers and aerodigestive disorders.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a type of cancer associated with 9/11 exposure, it is crucial to be informed about the rights and job protections available to you. The legal framework surrounding 9/11-related cancers and illnesses can be complex, but a clear understanding of these laws and the corresponding job protections can help safeguard your employment while you undergo necessary medical care and recovery. 

According to data gathered by the World Trade Center Health Registry, about 10% of enrollees in the program have continued to struggle with symptoms of PTSD. People often suffer from more than one 9/11-related mental health condition. In response to the attacks, there are legal options available to those who suffered emotional injury, trauma, and other health issues related to 9/11. 

Research indicates that, as time passes, individuals who were repeatedly exposed to WTC particulate matter may have a greater chance of developing mild cognitive impairment and other neurological complications like alterations in white matter connectivity. This may put them at a greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

How much a VCF award will or will not affect your public housing assistance benefits depends on how the award is paid. If you are concerned about losing Public Housing Assistance or other benefits, the time to plan for an award is before any amounts are paid by the VCF or the VCF award funds are disbursed by your lawyers.