The consequences of September 11th were catastrophic, and the mental scars remained long after their physical scars healed. Many 9/11 survivors and family members of victims have been diagnosed with PTSD as a result of the 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. For people who suffer from PTSD, their lives can feel overrun by this very real condition.
9/11 PTSD is prevalent in victims who were on-site during the attack, first responders who rushed to the scene to save others, rescue workers, recovery teams, and family members who lost loved ones. In creating the Zadroga Act, the Federal Government explicitly did not provide financial compensation for PTSD (or any mental health conditions) through the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF), but did include funding that provides no-cost treatment and care to survivors and responders for these conditions through the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP). This is an unfortunate limitation of the VCF with no exceptions.
However, if you are suffering from only mental health conditions related to your 9/11 experience and do not have any 9/11 physical health conditions, then you may still be eligible for free screening and treatment at the WTCHP. You do not need a lawyer to fill out the WTCHP application and be assessed for 9/11 mental health conditions.
Speaking with a 9/11 lawyer can help you determine your eligibility for these benefits. If you are suffering from at least 9/11 physical health conditions in addition to mental health conditions, such as PTSD, then the team at Pitta & Baione LLP can help you get the healthcare benefits you deserve.
PTSD and Other 9/11 Mental Health Conditions
Although the primary focus of care immediately after the 9/11 attack was the physical injuries of the victims, thousands of people were left with long-term mental health issues that are directly attributable to the events of 9/11. While discussing the ramifications of that day, many focus on the injuries and other physical conditions, but it’s impossible to talk about 9/11 health effects without mentioning the devastating consequences on mental health.
24.7% of 9/11 law enforcement officers have some level of depression, and 47.7% experienced both depression and anxiety, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. However, these issues are not limited to first responders. 9/11 civilian survivors have a higher likelihood of developing PTSD than the emergency personnel who responded to the attacks. The research into why is still ongoing, but some suspect the reasoning is that first responders are given some measure of training for response and action in traumatic situations, while civilians are not.
PTSD can be hard to understand, and if you have it, you might not know it. Studies show that some victims of the attacks turned to self-medication through alcohol as a way to cope with PTSD and related illnesses. This exacerbated 9/11 mental health and physical issues and pushed many victims further into depression and anxiety. Getting the help you need is essential to supporting a journey to wellness.
“While we are a law firm and not mental health professionals, we are well aware that almost all of our clients, including seasoned first responders and even war veterans, suffer from some form of 9/11 mental health condition that we sympathize with and are trained to handle with the utmost respect.”
— Christopher J. Baione, Partner
At Pitta & Baione LLP, we have lobbied for the continuation of victims’ rights, which include funding to treat mental health conditions..
9/11 PTSD Symptoms and Treatment
If you are not sure whether what you are experiencing could be PTSD or something else, reach out to a licensed mental health care professional.
There are four categories of PTSD symptoms. A PTSD patient can experience:
- Re-experience symptoms, such as flashbacks or dreams
- Avoidance symptoms, such as avoiding certain places or things related to the traumatic event
- Arousal symptoms, such as being tense, nervous, anxious, or having outbursts that can disrupt daily life
- Mood symptoms, which disrupt daily life through mood changes, and also include memory loss or memory repression regarding the traumatic event.
Treatment for PTSD is very personal and specific to the individual, even in a shared trauma like 9/11, due to the individual nature of trauma. Common treatment for PTSD includes medication, counseling, specialized trauma therapy, and support groups.
Most importantly, PTSD is a common and documented WTC illness, and if you or a loved one is suffering from it, you are not alone, and your recovery matters.
The World Trade Center Health Program and PTSD Treatment
There is a specific program available to help PTSD victims of the 9/11 attacks recover from their injuries and get the help they need for any 9/11-related illnesses they may have, without any fees or costs.
The World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) was established by the Zadroga Act in 2010. Through this program, health services like treatment, monitoring, and medication for both physical and psychological illnesses are available to survivors of the 9/11 attacks.
Upon certification of your 9/11 illness meeting the requirements, victims can receive a range of health services at no cost to them at designated clinics in New York City and throughout the United States. Because of the lobbying efforts of law firms and victims’ rights advocates, the WTCHP is authorized until 2090.
For PTSD patients, this could mean the difference in accessing the mental health care you need, including therapy sessions, medications, inpatient psychiatric treatment, crisis monitoring, and continual monitoring of your condition.
WTC Health Program Covered Conditions
The WTCHP is continually evolving, with new covered conditions added periodically as research bears fruit. That is why it’s so important to work with 9/11 attorneys who are familiar with these changes. WTC lawyers can do the heavy lifting for you while you focus on recovery.
Some WTC-covered conditions include, but are not limited to:
- Specific types of cancer
- Mesothelioma
- Aerodigestive disorders (like asthma, chronic cough, and GERD)
- Acute traumatic injuries
- Musculoskeletal disorders (in responders)
- Mental health disorders, including PTSD
The mental health category has expanded to include anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The most current 9/11 illness list includes coverage for treating substance abuse issues as well (as long as certain conditions are met). These illnesses are real and the direct result of the 9/11 attacks.
The Victim Compensation Fund and 9/11 Health Issues
In addition to healthcare, the Zadroga Act also protected and fully funded the Victim Compensation Fund (VCF). The VCF provides compensation for losses that are both economic and non-economic.
Although the VCF does not offer financial compensation for mental health issues at this time, you may still be entitled to resources if you have a physical 9/11 condition, such as cancer. The first step is applying for enrollment in the WTCHP and then attending a health evaluation. You do not need a lawyer to do the WTCHP application or be assessed for 9/11 PTSD.
Talk to a 9/11 Lawyer Today
The emotional impact of 9/11 was profound and widespread, leaving many survivors and their families struggling with long-term mental health issues like PTSD, along with physical health conditions like respiratory disorders and cancer. Seeking help is crucial for healing and managing these conditions.
For a free consultation about WTCHP and VCF claims, contact us.
