Do I Need a Lawyer to File a 9/11-Related Claim?

The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF), like any case in civil or criminal court, does not require you to have a lawyer. That said, submitting a complete VCF claim can be daunting given the Fund’s long history and the complexity created by its multiple versions and amendments over the years—from the original VCF law enacted in 2001, to the Zadroga Act that reopened the Fund in 2011, and then the amendments in 2015 and 2019.

There are also a host of other issues that can affect a VCF claim, including the interplay between the VCF and the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP); the impact of disability findings by the Social Security Administration, the Workers’ Compensation Board, a public disability pension board, or a private disability insurer. Additional complexity arises in deceased 9/11 VCF claims, where the VCF generally defers to each state’s surrogate or probate court to determine who is the proper claimant to act as the VCF personal representative and how any VCF award should be distributed to the deceased’s heirs.

Given these complexities, the majority of VCF claimants choose to retain an experienced 9/11 attorney who understands the VCF process. For a legal fee capped at 10%, an attorney can help navigate all of these issues, handle the day-to-day interaction with the WTCHP and the VCF, prosecute a claim in a timely manner, and, if necessary, advise on amendments and appeals (including the differences between the two procedures), prepare and file appeals, and represent the claimant and question any witnesses at VCF appeal hearings. The goal of a VCF attorney should be to shoulder the stress of dealing with the federal government so that you do not have to do it alone.

Here, we break down what the process involves, what you can do on your own, and when professional legal help can make a significant difference.

Who Is Eligible to File a 9/11-Related Claim?

Thousands of individuals qualify for 9/11-related benefits, even those who don’t realize they were exposed to toxins in the aftermath of the attacks. You may file a claim if you were:

• A responder at the World Trade Center, Pentagon, or Shanksville crash sites
• A worker involved in cleanup or debris removal, including at the Fresh Kills Landfill
• A civilian office worker, resident, or student in Lower Manhattan (anywhere south of Canal Street)
• A visitor present in the NYC Exposure Zone 
• A surviving family member filing as a personal representative for someone who passed away from a 9/11-related health condition
  
  

To qualify for compensation, you must also have had cancer or another 9/11-related physical health condition that is certified for treatment by the WTCHP. Once the cancer health condition is certified as 9/11-related, you can file a claim for financial compensation from the VCF for your economic loss, pain and suffering, and other eligible impacts. Importantly, a 9/11 condition can be certified as 9/11-related even if a person had the condition many years ago (but after 9/11) and even if the condition is resolved or successfully treated. 

Can You File a 9/11 Claim Without a Lawyer?

Simply put, yes. The VCF claim process was designed to be accessible, and the claim form and instructions, as well as deadline information and other considerations, are available online. The VCF does not require individuals filing a claim to hire an attorney. 

Some individuals choose to do this – especially if their case is simple, they have complete documentation, and they are comfortable navigating government portals and forms. No portion of an award depends on whether you had legal representation.

However, filing a claim on your own means you are responsible for:

• Obtaining proof of presence in the Exposure Zone
• Gathering employment, residency, or medical records
• Understanding WTCHP certification rules
• Navigating VCF and WTCHP deadlines
• Ensuring your claim is fully documented before substantive review
  
  

For many, especially those with multiple conditions or missing documents, the process can be challenging and time-consuming without support.

Why Working With an Experienced 9/11 Lawyer Matters

Hiring a 9/11 attorney is not required, but it can significantly improve your claim experience and final outcome. 

Navigating Complex VCF and WTC Health Program Procedures

Many claim denials come from paperwork issues, not from ineligibility. Both the WTCHP and the VCF have separate, detailed eligibility rules and procedures that must be followed in a specific order. A 9/11 lawyer helps you navigate these procedures, avoiding errors that could delay or jeopardize your claim.

Maximizing Your Potential VCF Award

Experienced attorneys help you get the maximum award for your circumstances by understanding how the VCF calculates economic loss, what qualifies as non-economic loss, and how dependents, work history, or disability affect compensation. They also know how to pursue additional compensation if your condition worsens.

Managing Deadlines and Paperwork Efficiently

There are multiple deadlines involved in the VCF process, including:

• WTCHP certification timeframes
• VCF registration deadlines
• VCF claim filing deadlines 
• Wrongful death deadlines
• Deadlines for amendments or appeals
  
  

A 9/11 lawyer ensures paperwork is fully completed and deadlines are met.

Handling Appeals and Amendments

If the VCF does not grant the award you expected or denies your claim, an attorney can:

• Review the decision
• Submit an appeal
• Add new medical conditions
• Amend your claim if your illness progresses
  
  

Most individuals find the appeal and amendment processes difficult to manage without guidance.

Handling Appeals and Amendments

If the VCF does not grant the award you expected or denies your claim, an attorney can:

• Review the decision
• Submit an appeal
• Add new medical conditions
• Amend your claim if your illness progresses
  
  

Most individuals find the appeal and amendment processes difficult to manage without guidance.

No Upfront Cost or Financial Risk

By law, VCF attorneys can only charge a capped 10% fee. VCF attorneys do not collect anything unless you receive compensation. Consultations are available at no cost.

When Legal Help Is Especially Important

While some cases are straightforward, legal assistance is strongly recommended if:

• You do not have proof of presence
• You lived or worked in the exposure zone decades ago
• Your medical records are incomplete or lost
• You are filing on behalf of a deceased loved one
• You were previously denied and want to appeal
• You have multiple 9/11-related health conditions
• You moved out of New York and need help accessing the Nationwide Provider Network
  
  

These situations often require additional evidence, legal strategies, or coordination across multiple agencies.

What a 9/11 Lawyer Actually Does for You

A dedicated 9/11 law firm handles all the steps involved in preparing and filing your claim, including:

• Collecting and organizing medical records
• Obtaining employment, union, school, or residency documents
• Proving your presence in the exposure zone
• Managing communication with the WTCHP and VCF
• Ensuring your claim is complete before substantive review
• Pursuing economic and non-economic loss awards
• Filing appeals, amendments, or wrongful death claims
  
  

Experienced attorneys can also guide individuals serving as personal representatives, helping them navigate estate requirements and secure compensation on behalf of loved ones.

Get Help From Trusted 9/11 VCF Attorneys at Hansen & Rosasco

Having an experienced legal team by your side can make the VCF process easier, faster, and more successful. At Hansen & Rosasco, LLP, 9/11 claims are our sole focus. Our dedicated attorneys have decades of experience assisting the 9/11survivors with VCF claims and WTCHP certification. Contact us today for a free consultation and learn how we can help you file a claim for financial compensation.