Hansen & Rosasco, LLP

Chronic health conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been a monumental struggle for thousands of 9/11 responders and survivors. Fortunately, help is available. For those who have developed GERD as a result of the terrorist attacks, medical monitoring and treatment are available through the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP), and financial compensation is available through the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF). Understanding the condition and how it relates to the 9/11 terrorist attacks is the first step for responders and survivors in navigating the support that is available to them.

The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) was created to provide financial relief to the individuals and families affected by the 9/11 attacks and subsequent rescue and debris removal efforts. Yet, receiving a VCF award brings forth a new challenge: How to wisely use the award money to secure a financially stable future, especially considering the long-term health conditions and possible terminal illnesses many victims face. 

Beyond the immediate devastation, the tragic events of 9/11 also set in motion a public health crisis that continues to affect thousands of first responders as well as the downtown workers, residents, and students who were all exposed to the toxic dust, debris, and fumes that covered Lower Manhattan until mid-2002. Among the many health problems that have since emerged, lung cancer has stricken several hundred of the responders and downtown workers, residents, and students. For many, receiving the support needed to deal with a lung cancer diagnosis has been fraught with challenges, including an understanding of the two federal 9/11 programs that can help, the World Trade Center Health Program (healthcare) and the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (financial compensation). 

The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, exposed 500,000 downtown workers, residents, and students to cancer-causing dust between 9/11 and May 30, 2002.  Those who lived, worked, or went to school in lower Manhattan (anywhere south of Canal Street) and were diagnosed with any cancer (or lost a loved one), have potential benefits available to them that include lifetime 9/11-related healthcare and a tax-free cash payment. 

The 9/11 attacks covered all of lower Manhattan with vast amounts of toxic cancer-causing dust that was breathed in by 500,000 downtown workers, residents, students, responders, and others during the many months after the attacks. In the years since, tens of thousands of those exposed to this dust have gotten sick with any number of 9/11-linked cancers, including breast cancer, prostate cancer, skin cancer, blood cancer, cancer of the digestive system, and many other types. Many of those sickened do not know of the strong link between the 9/11 dust and their cancer which was often diagnosed many years later. There has also been a stark lack of awareness of the downtown civilian population (the area workers, residents, students, and others) that help is available, including lifetime 9/11 healthcare from the World Trade Center Health Program (the WTCHP) and tax-free compensation from the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (the VCF). 

For survivors of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Breast Cancer Awareness Month serves as a reminder of the increased risk of breast cancer for those who lived worked, or went to school in the surrounding areas during the 9/11 attacks, or in the many months after the attacks. It is important that those who were exposed to the toxic cloud of dust and debris in the aftermath of the attacks are aware of the risks associated with exposure, as well as the various rights, benefits, and compensation available to them.

Filing a claim with the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) can be a complex and daunting process that requires a detailed understanding of the required procedures, the expert preparation of affidavits or other proofs, detailed documentation, and meeting all deadlines. In response to the complex demands of the federal VCF, about 80% of all VCF claimants chose to retain a lawyer dedicated and focused on handling 9/11 VCF claims. By having the help of such an attorney, a 9/11 claimant can be assured that nothing slips through the cracks – so they will get the maximum award in the shortest period of time.

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. 

A Comprehensive Guide to 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund Awards

The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) is a federal compensation program that makes tax-free awards to eligible individuals who developed 9/11-related illnesses (such as any cancer) after they lived, worked, or went to school in the 9/11 Disaster Area (Manhattan south of Canal Street) between 9/11 and May 30, 2002. 

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.