Hansen & Rosasco, LLP

VCF Awards and Medical Care for Out-of-State Responders

On September 11, 2001, as the Twin Towers collapsed, thousands of men and women first responders rushed to the pile to help. Many of those first responders were groups of out-of-state responders and volunteers who quickly made their way to the disaster site when most would have rushed away. In the face of danger, first responders, construction workers, and volunteers from our surrounding states (and from many states across the country), counties, and towns rushed to aid New York City and its residents, workers, and students. Even as the days and months passed, many out-of-state responders stayed or continued to come to help in the cleanup and recovery at Ground Zero.

It has been nearly 20 years since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Since that fatal day, over a hundred thousand volunteers, responders, and survivors have found themselves diagnosed with a variety of long-term chronic illnesses, cancers, and respiratory conditions. To help these individuals, Congress opened the Victim Compensation Fund (VCF). This fund is the only fund that helps survivors of 9/11 obtain financial compensation for the pain and suffering they endure, plus awards for lost earnings and for wrongful death due a 9/11 disease or cancer.

COVID-19 coronavirus deaths in New York have now passed 14,000 as of April 20, 2020. This horrific number is more than the deaths on 9/11 itself and 9/11-related deaths to date – combined. It is likely that COVID-19 deaths will permanently eclipse 9/11 deaths to date and future related deaths. This is yet another tragedy for New Yorkers, and all Americans, to overcome. 

The World Trade Center Dust Cloud

Many remember the dark dust cloud that covered New York City after the terrorist attacks of September 11th. For first responders, commuters and anyone who worked in Downtown Manhattan, it was overwhelming as everyone tried to escape the congestion, chaos and fumes.

Health Benefits for 9/11 Survivors During the Coronavirus Crisis

Sadly, every week, the 9/11 lawyers at Hansen & Rosasco, LLP are contacted by current or past employees of the following companies. These employees have been diagnosed with one or more of 70 types of cancer since the dust and fumes enveloped Lower Manhattan and Wall Street on September 11, 2001 and in the months that followed.