NEW YORK
With new cases of September 11th-related illnesses diagnosed daily, the window is closing for members of the survivor community to request eligibility for the federally funded Victim Compensation Fund.
Barasch & McGarry, a New York City law firm and themselves members of the survivor community, are working to educate the more than 425 thousand people who lived and worked in the exposure zone in the eight months that followed the attacks.
The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund made $7.3 billion dollars available to individuals and the families of those who were physically injured, developed a physical illness, or passed away from their exposure to the 9/11 toxic dust. It also covers those involved in the debris removal efforts in the months after. Through the fund, more than $4 billion has been awarded to 22,000 people impacted by the toxic dust caused by the terrorist attacks. Over 10,000 people have been diagnosed with WTC-linked cancers and more than 2,000 of those people have died (including 184 NYC firefighters). However, hundreds of thousands don't realize that cancers and other illnesses diagnosed, even recently, qualify them for the program, which will close in December of 2020.
"Compensation through the VCF is available to residents and office workers, teachers and students - not just first responders and volunteers. Folks who helped in the cleanup and since moved or returned to other states are eligible for the same benefits," said Michael Barasch, Partner at Barasch and McGarry. "This is not a personal injury claim, where once you settle, it's over. With a VCF claim, you can make amendments to receive additional benefits if your condition worsens or if a family member passes away. The VCF provides unlimited opportunities to amend your claim, but people need to act immediately."
After 9/11, the EPA assured the community that "the air is safe," urging hundreds of thousands of residents and workers to return prematurely. As the toll of responder illness and death climbed, Congress passed the first James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act in 2010. When it became apparent that the health crisis had not abated, Congress reauthorized the Zadroga Act in 2015, ensuring victims could receive health screenings medical benefits for 70 years, and compensation through 2020. The Victim Compensation Fund will close on December 18, 2020.
For those that weren't caught in the toxic dust cloud that day, but returned to the area during the following eight months, they might overlook the connection between their illness and 9/11. Downtown residents, workers, teachers, and students should be aware of the most common illnesses linked to the WTC toxic dust.
Dr. Michael Crane, director of the World Trade Center Health Program Clinical Center of Excellence at Mount Sinai says he's now signing off on more than 20 cancer diagnoses related to 9/11 each week. Cancers with particularly long latency periods, such as mesothelioma, are just starting to emerge.
The most common certified WTC cancers are:
Skin Cancers (basal cell, squamous cell & Melanoma)
Prostate Cancer
Breast Cancer
Thyroid Cancer
Lung Cancer
Rare Cancers , i.e. Male Breast Cancer
Esophageal Cancer
Kidney Cancer
Blood Cancers (Lymphoma, Leukemia and Multiple Myeloma)
The most common non-cancerous illnesses are:
Asthma/reactive airway disease
COPD
Sinusitis
GERD
Barrett's esophagus
Sleep apnea
