Hansen & Rosasco, LLP

The 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Centers released toxic chemicals, including asbestos, into the air. Many of the people who inhaled dust from the 9/11 attacks, including first responders, residents and workers in Lower Manhattan, and workers who helped remove those materials after the attacks, have since shown symptoms of asbestos exposure, including mesothelioma. Since it can take between 10 and 50 years for symptoms of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related conditions to emerge, more victims will continue to come forward with symptoms related to the attacks.

Nearly 3,000 people lost their lives on 9/11 during the worst terrorist attack in recorded history. Since then, several thousand people have died because of 9/11-related illnesses and cancers, including residents who lived in the area in the months that followed the attacks. 

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. 

If you worked downtown for Verizon, Con Ed, or Time Warner during and the months after September 11th 2001, you may have received an important message in the mail regarding your eligibility for 09/11 assistance. This letter is pursuant to the New York State 09/11 Notice Act. Although you do not need a lawyer to participate, 86% of claims filed are done so with legal representation. Hansen & Rosasco have been handling 9/11 claims since 2001, and we exclusively work with the 9/11 community. Please contact us with any questions regarding the letter your received or to check your eligibility for the 9/11 programs and benefits.