9/11 Compensation Claims for Downtown Manhattan Workers

If you worked in downtown Manhattan in the days, weeks, or months following the 9/11 attacks, you may be eligible for free medical care through the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) and financial compensation through the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF). At Hansen & Rosasco, LLP, we represent financial workers, administrative staff, service workers, and other professionals who developed 9/11-related illnesses due to exposure to toxins in the aftermath of the attacks. We’ll help you understand your rights and walk you through every step of the claims process.

On September 11th and over the many months though mid-2002, hundreds of thousands of financial, office, and service workers returned to their jobs in Lower Manhattan. Many worked just blocks from Ground Zero, unaware of the dangerous toxins still lingering in the air and settling on surfaces in their offices and neighborhoods. These workers helped keep New York City functioning during a time of crisis, but today, many have since been diagnosed with one of the many 9/11-related cancers or other illnesses as a consequence of being exposed to the 9/11 toxins.

The Impact of 9/11 on Downtown Manhattan Workers

Approximately 300,000 civilian workers were present in Lower Manhattan on September 11th and during the many months after the attacks. These included employees at banks, law firms, financial institutions, marketing agencies, government offices, and countless other businesses that operated within the NYC Exposure Zone (south of Canal Street). Many workers returned to work shortly after the attacks, unaware that the air, buildings, and ventilation systems were contaminated with toxic dust and debris.

The dust cloud produced by the collapse of the Twin Towers contained a hazardous mix of asbestos, lead, glass fibers, benzene, and other known carcinogens. Exposure to these toxins has been linked to a range of common cancers and other health issues, many of which can develop years – or even decades – after the initial exposure, making it essential for members of the 9/11 community to receive regular health screenings to ensure early diagnosis.

Health Conditions Common for Surviving Downtown Manhattan Workers Following 9/11

Over the years, many surviving downtown Manhattan workers have developed serious illnesses linked to their exposure, including:

Over 76 types of cancer, including prostate, breast, thyroid, skin, blood, and more
Respiratory conditions like chronic cough, asthma, and COPD
Aerodigestive disorders such as GERD and sinusitis
Mental health conditions, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety

In some cases, individuals have passed away without knowing their illness was linked to 9/11. In these situations, surviving family members may still be eligible to file a claim for financial compensation on their behalf.

Which Downtown Manhattan Workers Qualify for Compensation?

You may be eligible for compensation through the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund if you meet the following criteria:

You worked in the NYC Exposure Zone (south of Canal Street) any time between September 11, 2001, and May 30, 2002.
You have since developed a 9/11-related health condition certified by the WTCHP, such as any cancer, chronic respiratory illness, or a breathing or digestive disorder (or lost a loved one to any such conditions).
Your condition has been certified by the WTCHP.

If a loved one passed away due to a 9/11-related illness, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim on their behalf, even if they never filed a claim during their lifetime.

Support Available for Downtown Manhattan Workers

Two programs were established by the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act to address the health and financial needs of the 9/11 community. Downtown Manhattan workers diagnosed with a health condition related to 9/11 may qualify for financial compensation through the VCF and no-cost medical monitoring and treatment through the WTCHP. Eligibility requirements differ slightly for each program.

World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP)

The WTCHP provides free lifetime medical care, cancer screenings, and mental health treatment to eligible 9/11 survivors and responders. Once your illness is certified by the program, you’ll receive comprehensive healthcare services through Centers of Excellence or affiliated providers nationwide.

Victim Compensation Fund (VCF)

The VCF offers tax-free financial compensation to individuals with certified 9/11-related health conditions. Compensation is available for:

Economic loss, including lost income, loss of future earnings, loss of benefits, and past and future out-of-pocket medical expenses
Non-economic loss, including pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, including for conditions such as over 70 types of cancer, breathing disorders, and digestive conditions.
Wrongful death claims filed by surviving spouses, children, or personal representatives of deceased individuals

A knowledgeable VCF attorney can help you calculate your losses and gather the documentation needed to ensure you receive the full award you are entitled to.

How Our 9/11 Attorneys Can Help Downtown Manhattan Workers

At Hansen & Rosasco, LLP, we’ve been advocating for 9/11 victims since the very beginning. We know the challenges faced by financial workers, administrative professionals, and office staff who were simply doing their jobs, not knowing they were working in a toxic environment. We’ve helped thousands of clients verify eligibility, get certified by the WTCHP, gather documentation, navigate complex claims, and secure maximum compensation from the VCF. Here are just some of the Lower Manhattan workers, employees, and families we’ve helped secure compensation and awards.

$3.4 million for a downtown Manhattan professional diagnosed with breast cancer
$3 million for a spouse of a Wall Street broker who died from multiple myeloma
$2.0 million for NY housing authority manager with small-cell lung cancer
$1.4 million for Downtown Manhattan area workers with colon cancer
$1.3 million for Downtown Manhattan Security Director with multiple myeloma
$1.3 million for the family of a worker at Ground Zero who died
$1.3 million for Wall Street VP with multiple myeloma
$1.2 million for local 32-BJ cleaner disabled by brain cancer and breast cancer
$1.1 million for NYC sanitation worker with interstitial lung disease and COPD
$829,000 for Wall Street broker with 9/11 sarcoidosis and asthma

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Reach Out to a Compassionate 9/11 Attorney For Guidance

You didn’t have to wear a uniform to be seriously affected by 9/11. If you returned to work in downtown Manhattan and are now living with a 9/11-related health condition, you may be entitled to care and compensation. Contact Hansen & Rosasco, LLP today for a free, confidential consultation. We’ll listen to your story, explain your rights, and handle the claims process from start to finish with compassion, care, and individualized attention, so you can focus on your health and family.

“I would like to say thank you for the superior customer service that I received from the minute I sat down for my consultation regarding my 911 Victim Compensation Fund case I initially met with the Mr. Hansen who is awesome. I was also lucky to met Mr. Rosasco. They treated me like family and placed me in the good hands of Ms. Sidrah Syed,Esq. Ms. Syed is extremely dedicated , knowledgeable and kept me updated through each step of the process. I am extremely please on how my case handled and very lucky to have her working on my behalf. God Bless you and your law firm for all that you have done for 911 Survivors.” -Jeff F.

Downtown Manhattan Workers