The 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) is a program that is funded by the federal government and was created to compensate those who suffered physical harm or death by the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. First responders and debris removal crew members exposed to toxic contaminants in the days weeks and months that followed the attacks were also entitled to compensation through the VCF. The Victim Compensation Fund was created to offer a no-fault option to lawsuits and is managed by the U.S. Department of Justice and Special Master of the VCF. The VCF initially ran from 2001 to 2004.
In 2011, when President Obama signed the Zadroga Act into law, the VCF was reopened and the World Trade Center Health Program was established.
The VCF was reauthorized in 2015 with modifications that included extending the VCF for five years to accept claims through December 18, 2020, an increase for the total funding of VCF, and policy and procedure changes calculating awards and evaluating claims.
Claims can be filed by responders and survivors of the aftermath of 9/11 from the three affected areas:
1. New York City (NYC) Exposure Zone near the World Trade Center site (the area in Manhattan south of the line that runs along Canal Street from the Hudson River to the intersection of Canal Street and East Broadway, north on East Broadway to Clinton Street, and east on Clinton Street to the East River; and any area related to or along the routes of debris removal, such as barges and Fresh Kills landfill.)
2. Pentagon site
3. Shanksville, Pennsylvania site
Remember also that you don’t have to be a first responder or other city worker to file for compensation. Anyone, including volunteers, cleanup workers, construction, sanitation personnel, area residents, workers, students, and passersby who were in the exposure zone for certain lengths of time between September 11, 2001 and May 30, 2002 may be eligible.
In order for 9/11 cancer victims to file a claim with the extended Victim Compensation Fund, several events must take place first: a medical diagnosis of cancer; a certification by the WTC Health Program that the cancer is 9/11-related; and registration with the VCF (a pre-requisite for filing a claim).
Most successful claims against the 9/11 Victim’s Compensation Fund are handled through attorneys who thoroughly understand the complex claims process, as well as the factors Fund officials consider most important in making their determination.
The VCF extended deadline means there is still time to make a claim, contact us now or see if you’re eligible here.
