Common Questions About the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund
At Alonso Krangle, LLP, our lawyers know how important the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF, 9/11 VCF, the fund) is to the thousands of people who were directly affected by the attacks on the World Trade Center (WTC), the Pentagon, and the crash of United Airlines flight 93. The 9/11 fund has been in existence for years but has re-entered the limelight recently. Why?
An approaching July deadline has some people scrambling to register for the program to ensure they do not forfeit their eligibility to participate in the fund. The deadline has sparked conversations and questions about the fund, its registration process, and who might be eligible. Our lawyers at Alonso Krangle, LLP think this is a welcome opportunity to clarify some common misconceptions surrounding the 9/11 VCF.
Is The 9/11 VCF Only for First Responders?
No. The fund was created to provide compensation “to individuals (or a personal representative of a deceased individual) who were present at the World Trade Center or the surrounding New York City Exposure Zone; the Pentagon crash site; and the Shanksville, Pennsylvania crash site, at some point between September 11, 2001, and May 30, 2002, and who have since been diagnosed with a 9/11-related illness.”
This is not limited to first responders. It includes anyone who lived, worked, volunteered, or went to school in the affected areas during that time. The fund does not distinguish between first responders and survivors in the way they determine eligibility, process claims, or calculate awards.
Is the VCF Only For People Who Were at The World Trade Center, Pentagon, or the Flight 93 Crash Site on September 11, 2001?
No. As stated above, the 9/11 VCF compensates people killed or injured on 9/11 and those injured or killed because of the events of 9/11, which could have occurred days, weeks, months, or years after.
In New York City, particularly, the cleanup of ground zero and the surrounding areas took months. The planes that crashed into the towers and their subsequent collapse sent toxic fuel, dust, debris, and fumes into the air.
Many people involved in the cleanup efforts suffered immediate injuries and long-term harm from exposure to the fumes. People who returned to the exposure zone for work, school, or to go home inhaled dangerous air, the effects of which were not always immediate. Thousands of people have since 9/11 developed COPD, asthma, skin problems, cancers, and more directly because of the events of that day.
Is the 9/11 VCF the Same as the WTC Health Program?
No. They are not the same. They are two different programs having different eligibility requirements, processes, and purposes. According to the VCF website, “The WTC Health Program provides medical monitoring and treatment for responders to the WTC and related sites in New York City, Pentagon, and Shanksville, PA, and survivors who were in the New York City disaster area. The VCF provides financial compensation for those who were physically injured or died as a result of an eligible 9/11-related illness and who meet the VCF’s eligibility criteria.” The VCF’s criteria include having your illness certified by the WTC Health Program.
What Are the Important 9/11 VCF Deadlines?
The deadline to file a claim to collect compensation from the 9/11 VCF is October 1, 2090. This deadline applies to everyone.
Before you are allowed to file a claim with the 9/11 VCF, you must register. Registering or applying for a claim is not the same as filing a claim.
Registering preserves your right to file a claim in the future. The deadline to register/apply is not the same for everyone. According to the VCF:
- If you were certified with a 9/11 health condition by the WTC before July 29, 2019, you must register with the VCF before July 29, 2021.
- If you are registering for someone who you think died of a 9/11 related health condition before July 29, 2019, you must register with the VCF before July 29, 2021.
- If you have not been certified by the WTC with a 9/11 condition or were certified after July 29, 2019, you may register by July 29, 2021, but don’t have to. You must file your registration within two years of the latest date the WTC certifies your health condition as related to 9/11.
- If you are registering for someone who you think died of a 9/11 related health condition after July 29, 2029, you must register with the VCF within two years of the date of death.
Do I Have to Re-Register With the VCF?
No. Once you register with the VCF, you do not have to do it again.
You have preserved your right to file a claim when and if you are ready and eligible.
Do I Have to Be Sick to Register with the 9/11 VCF?
No. You don’t have to be sick to register with the VCF. Registering preserves your right to file a claim in the future if you become sick.
Registering does not commit you to file a claim in the future.
Can I get More Money From the 9/11 VCF if I have More Certified Illnesses?
No. The money you might receive from the VCF is not directly related to the number of certified conditions you have. The amount awarded by the fund is determined by the type, severity, and impact of the conditions on your life.
The amounts the VCF can award for noneconomic losses are capped by statute. The most you can get for a non-cancer condition is $90,000.
The most you can get for a cancer is $250,000. In only very rare cases is there a noneconomic loss award for more than $250,000. You can also submit proof of your economic losses and receive compensation for those.
Can the VCF Expedite a Claim?
Yes, but it is likely to do so only when special circumstances exist. For example, when someone is terminally ill or in immediate danger of losing their home, the VCF might consider a formal request to expedite a claim.
Are All Cancers Certified by the WTC as 9/11 Related Conditions?
No. There are currently approximately 70 types of cancer certified by the WTC as 9/11 related that can result in eligibility for participation in the VCF. Many of them fall into one of these categories:
- Lymphoma
- Leukemia
- Myeloma
- Colorectal
- Thyroid
- Prostate cancer
- Head and neck cancer
- Rare cancers
- Lung cancer
- Mesothelioma
- Eye cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Skin cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Breast cancer
- Childhood cancer
What are Some of the Non-Cancer Conditions that Might Meet the Eligibility Requirements for the 9/11 VCF?
Conditions that might qualify for VCF compensation can include asthma, COPD, lung disease, chronic coughing, chronic respiratory disorders, and digestive problems. There are also many mental health conditions that can be classified as related to 9/11.
There is no single exhaustive list of what will and will not certify you with a 9/11 related injury. You might not have symptoms for years, and you might not realize that what you are experiencing now can be related to something that occurred in 2001 or 2002. Speaking to a medical professional about your concerns, including your presence in the exposure zone, is critical to ensuring you preserve any rights you might have to receive VCF compensation.
Call Alonso Krangle, LLP, to Learn More About Registering Your Claim With the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund.
September 11, 2001, is a day that continues to harm thousands of Americans, including first responders, residents, and workers in NYC. Our government anticipates nearly 70 more years of health consequences for people exposed to toxic environments in the aftermath of 9/11. The Victim Compensation Fund is available until October 1, 2090, for victims who qualify.
Call our 9/11 VCF lawyers at Alonso Krangle, LLP today at 800-403-6191 to ensure you file your registration on time and preserve your right to collect compensation for your 9/11 related injury.