VCF Eligibility Requirements

The United States watched in horror as the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, unfolded. Nearly 20 years later, thousands of people in New York City and other areas of the country still suffer from various adverse health issues and physical harm they experienced during their time in lower Manhattan in the ensuing months.

In 2001 a special fund was established to support victims and their families suffering due to illness or wrongful death. This original fund ran out a few years later. Congress later passed the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 (Zadroga Act), signed by President Obama. When it expired, Congress gave reauthorization for additional funding.

In 2019, Congress ensured the fund’s stability until 2090 with the passing of the Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act (“VCF Permanent Authorization Act”) which President Trump signed.

Our skilled attorneys have assisted hundreds of people suffering from illness or injury after exposure to 9/11 events, including toxic dust. Our compassionate lawyers are well-versed in the eligibility criteria associated with the World Trade Center Victim Fund, and understand how to file claims on behalf of our clients, including deceased individuals’ families. Our legal team will work to ensure our clients receive the best compensation from the U.S. Government.

Call the Jacob Fuchsberg Victim Compensation Fund Attorneys at 212-869-3500 for a no-obligation free consultation. We are here to support you through this very emotional and complex process.

Illnesses Covered by the Victim Compensation Fund

The World Trade Center VCF is specific about the types of illnesses eligible for compensation. The list is extensive and diverse. A large percentage of WTC victims suffer from numerous types of 9/11-related cancers. More than 75 types of cancer are on the list of covered illnesses, including several types of rare cancers. Non-cancerous covered illnesses include but are not limited to:

• Acute traumatic injury, such as burns, complex sprains, eye injuries, fractures, head trauma, and tendon tears.
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• Aerodigestive disorders, including asthma, various chronic respiratory conditions, GERD, COPD (both WTC-exacerbated and new-onset), and sleep apnea exacerbated or related to another aerodigestive disorder.
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• Mental health issues, such as acute stress disorder, depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance abuse.
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• Musculoskeletal disorders, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, lower back pain, and related disorders. (Note: Only WTC responders are eligible to be certified for these injuries.)

This 9/11 Illnesses list is not a comprehensive list of illnesses. Sadly, cancer is the most common sickness connected to 9/11. New cases of cancers frequently emerge with additional types routinely added to the growing list of WTC-related illnesses. Air pollution experts and academic researchers state the toxic dust from the collapsed buildings at Ground Zero contained more than 2,500 different contaminants. Tragically, survivors and heroes of 9/11 present in New York and exposed to these contaminants have either contracted cancer or remain at high risk.

Is My Health Condition Eligible for a VCF Claim?

To be eligible to file a VCF claim, a victim must suffer from a sickness listed as one of the hundreds of designated types of illnesses. If you have an illness or disease we will help you register to file a claim, and it will be reviewed. If determined you are eligible, you then will be certified. It’s important to note.

‍Victims did not have to be present on 9/11 or in its immediate aftermath to be eligible.

WTC Health Program Requirements

The World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) is separate from the VCF Program. It serves four groups affected by the events stemming from September 11, 2001. Once certified by the WTCHP, victims can receive free healthcare and treatments related to their 9/11-related illnesses and injuries. The application process is entirely separate from a VCF claim, and the information required by both programs may differ for each registration.

Enrolling in the WTC Health Program

Persons present or actively working at the WTC disaster site qualify for the WTC Health Program and must meet specific criteria related to work at Ground Zero.

FDNY First Responders

Individuals who participated at least one day in the rescue and recovery effort on or after 9/11 are eligible. This includes firefighters and emergency personnel (both active and retired) at any of the former World Trade Center sites in lower Manhattan.

WTC General First Responders

Non-FDNY workers or volunteers who assisted in New York City with rescue, recovery, demolition, clean-up, debris removal efforts, and other support services connected to the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks are eligible.

World Trade Center Survivors

Anyone who was a resident, student, worker, daycare attendee, adult daycare participant, and other people who were in NYC in the disaster area or in the aftermath of September 11, 2001, can file to register.

Pentagon and Shanksville, Pennsylvania Plane Crash Site First Responders

People directly involved in the 9/11 response to the attacks on the Pentagon and Flight 93 crash site near Shanksville, PA, are eligible to participate.

All groups must demonstrate their 9/11-related participation, along with other required information. Receiving legal advice from an attorney can ensure you register correctly so you can be certified and enrolled.

Registering You for the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund

On September 11, 2001, nearly 3,000 people instantly died on that tragic day. Thousands more continue to suffer in its aftermath with serious health issues due to toxic dust exposures they were subjected to at the World Trade Center site and other designated locations.

Many continue to live with their cancer and other diagnoses, while sadly, others have succumbed to their 9/11-related illnesses. Jacob Fuchsberg Victim Compensation Fund Attorneys sympathizes and understands the suffering people continue to face.

If you, or a loved one, are a victim of 9/11 illness or wrongful death, you may be eligible to enroll in the WTC Health Program and the WTC Victim Fund. Our VCF attorneys will work tirelessly on your behalf with a commitment to providing you with sound legal advice. The attorney-client relationship is very important to us.

To date, we have recovered millions of dollars for WTC injury victims.

We will work to give you a similar outcome as our other clients.

Please contact our personal injury attorneys at 212-869-3500 for a free case evaluation.