The September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center killed more than 2,600 people as a direct result of the plane crashes and subsequent building collapses. The devastation also sent massive clouds of toxic dust throughout New York City, which has since been linked to a wide range of respiratory illnesses, lung diseases and cancers.

A WTC LAWYER CAN HELP PROVE YOUR PRESENCE IN AN EXPOSURE ZONE

New Yorkers who have become sick as a result of exposure to these harmful toxins during and after the attacks can seek benefits through the World Trade Center Health Program and the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. In order to get those benefits, however, you have to show that you were physically present in a certain toxic exposure zone during or in the aftermath of the attacks. A WTC lawyer can help you prove eligibility.

At Pitta & Baione LLP, we help 9/11 responders and survivors get the full benefits available under the law, which means establishing their presence in toxic exposure zones. We are experienced lawyers who have dedicated our careers to helping people harmed by these heinous attacks. A WTC lawyer from our firm can help you understand the eligibility requirements and provide all of the information and evidence that claims administers need to approve benefits.

WORLD TRADE CENTER HEALTH PROGRAM EXPOSURE ZONE EXPLAINED BY WTC LAWYER

The World Trade Center Health Program provides certain healthcare benefits to 9/11 responders and survivors, which includes free medical monitoring, as well as treatment and medication for physical and psychological illnesses.

The benefits program, which is fully funded through 2090, covers a wide range of health conditions. Cancers, respiratory illnesses, traumatic injuries and musculoskeletal disorders are generally included in the benefits program. People who receive benefits can get treatment and monitoring through a network of clinics in the New York metropolitan area and across the country.

To obtain WTCHP benefits, a person diagnosed with a covered illness has to prove that he or she was within a certain exposure zone. The WTCHP zone varies for responders and survivors. For survivors, the zone spans from Houston Street to the southern tip of Manhattan and includes a 1.5 mile radius from Ground Zero into certain parts of Brooklyn.

THE 9/11 TOXIC DUST EXPOSURE ZONES & SURVIVOR ELIGIBILITY

For eligibility purposes, applicants to the WTCHP and claimants with the VCF must have been physically present at a 9/11 crash site Ground Zero, The Pentagon, or Shanksville, PA or within the NYC exposure area.

The exposure area differs for the WTCHP and the VCF but a WTC lawyer can help explain the difference. In short, as you can see in the map below, the WTCHP differentiates between responders and survivors who have different eligibility criteria. Responders must have been present below Canal Street while survivors must have been present below Houston Street or within the 1.5 mile radius into Brooklyn. It’s important to note that our law firm represents claimants who were north of Canal Street and South of Houston Street. Call today to determine your eligibility.

In general, responders require a lower number of hours of exposure than survivors to be eligible for the WTCHP and access medical treatment. Responders are entitled to an annual checkup and medical monitoring even if they have no 9/11-related conditions, whereas survivors must have symptoms of at least one covered condition. Responders also have access to a broader range of treatment locations within the Metropolitan New York City Area.

WTCHP Exposure Zone

The WTCHP employs a broader definition that encompasses the area of Manhattan south of Houston Street and any block in Brooklyn that is wholly or partially contained within a 1.5-mile radius of the former World Trade Center site.

VCF Exposure Zone

The VCF employs a smaller NYC exposure area defined as 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.

Fresh Kills Landfill in Staten Island & Other Exposure Zones

Both benefits programs also consider claims by people who were exposed to toxins at the Fresh Kills Landfill in Staten Island, the New York City Chief Medical Examiner’s Office, or other areas related to, or along, routes of debris removal, such as barges used in the cleanup and garages where 9/11 dust covered vehicles were stored or cleaned.

SPEAK WITH A WTC LAWYER ABOUT YOUR BENEFITS TODAY

If you or a loved one is considering seeking 9/11 responders or survivors benefits – or if you are having trouble getting your claim approved – the September 11th benefits attorneys at Pitta & Baione can help.

For more information about eligibility requirements of the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund and the World Trade Center Health Program, contact a WTC lawyer at Pitta & Baione at 844-901-1312 or info@pittabaione.com.