On September 11, 2001, America was hit with one of the worst terrorist attacks in its history. It’s been two decades, and we are all still trying to come to terms with the destruction caused at the Pentagon, the crash site of Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, the World Trade Center Towers in Lower Manhattan and throughout New York City in the aftermath of the attack. This month marks the 20th anniversary of September 11th in this month’s Weekly Pulse we will be sharing in depth information regarding the September 11th Victims Compensation Fund. The Law Offices of Marjory Cajoux stands in support of the 9/11 survivors and the families of the fallen.
After the September 11th attacks, the people in the affected areas including New York and Lower Manhattan focused on putting their lives back together by coordinating cleanup efforts, supporting grieving families, reopening their businesses, and returning to work, all the while breathing in dangerous fumes and dust that hung and settled over the areas for almost a year after the attacks. Downtown NYC residents, workers, and students specifically developed substantial long-term health consequences after breathing in the fumes which contained toxins and harsh chemicals. Many developed ailments including a variety of cancers, asthma, COPD, interstitial lung disease, asbestosis, chronic sinusitis, chronic rhinitis, GERD, and sleep apnea; others died from their injuries and/ or exposure.
After the tireless efforts of many victims and their families to bring their health plights into focus, Congress enacted the September 11th Victim’s Compensation Fund, also known as the Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. It was established to provide compensation to individuals who suffered physical illness, injury, or death because they lived, worked, or attended school within the designated exposure zone as well as for those who worked on the rescue, recovery, and clean-up efforts after the attacks. If you or a loved one were present on that fateful day, or in an affected area between September 11, 2001 – May 30, 2022, you may be eligible for financial compensation through the WTC Victim’s Compensation Fund.
Here are examples of some of the people who may qualify:
- FDNY Responders. FDNY responders who spent a minimum of four hours between September 11, 2001, and July 31, 2002, at one of these locations may qualify for VCF compensation:
- Ground Zero
- Staten Island Landfill
- NYC Chief Medical Examiner’s Office
- WTC Responders. WTC general responders who spent a minimum of four hours between September 11, 2001, and September 14, 2001, 24 hours between September 11, 2001, and September 30, 2001, or at least 80 hours between September 11, 2001, and July 31, 2002, at any of these locations may qualify for VCF compensation:
- Lower Manhattan south of Canal Street
- Staten Island Landfill
- Specific Barge Loading Piers
- NYC Morgue
- Emergency vehicle garages
- Barges or trucks moving debris
- General Responders. This includes anyone who handled body bags, concrete, debris, or trash from the site.
- WTC Survivors. Residents, students, employees, and others in the general NYC exposure zone may qualify for VCF compensation. The amount of time you need to spend in this area varies depending on what you did and where you were. Your attorney can help you determine eligibility
Survivors that may qualify include:
- Downtown Manhattan workers
- Wall Street brokers
- Construction workers in Downtown Manhattan
- EMTs
- Downtown Manhattan students
- Teachers in Downtown Manhattan
- Residents in the Exposure Zone
- Pentagon/Shanksville responders. Any responders or volunteers who spent at least four hours at either site may qualify for VCF. This includes:
- Pentagon site. Responders there between September 11, 2001, and November 19, 2001, may qualify.
- Shanksville, PA. Responders there between September 11, 2001, and October 3, 2001, may qualify.
Many different people can obtain coverage and compensation through the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. With an experienced 9/11 attorney in your corner, you can rest easy knowing you have the support needed to receive the benefits and compensation you deserve. At The Law Offices of Marjory Cajoux, we help all September 11th survivors. For more information regarding the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, The Law Offices of Marjory Cajoux is here to answer your questions.
