VCF Cancer Awards and Other Compensation Lawyers for September 11 Victim Benefits

The 911 compensation lawyers at Pitta & Baione LLP focus their practice on helping the victims of the September 11 attacks access free health services and financial compensation awards. The information below provides a general summary of the coverage and benefits available under the Zadroga Act – including the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP), the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF), and specific information about VCF cancer awards. We always recommend talking to a knowledgeable 911 compensation lawyer to review your specific claim based on the current program rules.

Coverage and Benefits Available under the World Trade Center Health Program

What Benefits Are Available under the WTCHP?

The WTCHP offers free health services to enrolled WTCHP members for the treatment of health conditions that are certified to be related to the 9/11 terrorist attacks and their aftermath, including debris removal activities and toxic air conditions.

Available health services include:

• medical monitoring;
• physical exams;
• tests;
• ongoing treatment; and
• prescription medications.

What Conditions are Covered

Free treatment is available under the WTCHP for a specific list of physical and mental health conditions that have been determined to be caused by exposure to the 9/11 terrorist attacks (Covered Conditions). Covered Conditions include:

• Most cancers
• Acute traumatic injuries
• Psychological disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety 
• Aerodigestive disorders such as asthma
• Gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD)
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)
• Sleep apnea 

The WTCHP also offers treatment for health conditions that would not otherwise be covered if those conditions were caused by the progression or treatment of a Covered Condition. The WTCHP maintains an up-to-date list of Covered Conditions on its website.

Financial Coverage and Benefits Available under the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund

What Costs Can I Recover under the Victim Compensation Fund?

The VCF offers a tax-free, lump-sum financial award to any individual who suffers from a certified Covered Condition under the WTCHP or to the family of a deceased eligible individual. 

Financial compensation is available to cover the following economic and non-economic losses:

• Past out-of-pocket medical expenses;
• Past and future lost earnings;
• Past and future lost employment-related benefits;
• Funeral, burial, and memorial service expenses;
• Past and future replacement services such as housekeeping, child care and other regular home maintenance services; and
• Pain and suffering.

Who is Eligible for a Financial Award under the VCF?

The eligibility requirements for the VCF are more restrictive than those for the WTCHP. In general, you may be eligible for a financial award under the VCF if you meet the following two criteria:

• You were present at the designated 9/11 Crash Site Area (a smaller area than the WTCHP NYC Disaster Area) at any time between September 11, 2001 and May 30, 2002; and
• You suffer from a WTCHP-certified Covered Condition. Psychological disorders do not qualify as Covered Conditions for purposes of the VCF.

As of July 2017, to be eligible to receive a financial award under the VCF you must also be enrolled in the WTCHP, unless you qualify for an exception and can prove your Covered Condition based on medical records.

VCF Cancer Awards

“Cancer rates in the 9/11 first responder community are rising higher than ever, which means the VCF is more important than ever. We cannot tell them, ‘Sorry, we don’t have the funds for you.’ We cannot turn our backs on these heroes – not now, not ever.” – New York Senator Kristen Gilibrand in a statement issued Feb. 15, 2019.

The toxins released by the 9/11 attacks include many known carcinogens. VCF cancer awards offer higher financial rewards, non-economic losses are capped at $250,000 vs $90,000 for non-cancer related claims. VCF claims are paid on a first-come, first-serve basis and with the rising rate of cancer among 9/11 survivors, it is imperative to register or file your claim as soon as possible. 

911 Compensation Lawyers Can Preserve Your Claim and Protect Your Rights

The 911 compensation lawyers at Pitta & Baione have years of experience helping our clients initiate and prove claims for benefits under both the WTCHP and the VCF. We have helped our clients recover over $250 million since 2016, including several multi-million dollar awards. Call us at 844-982-2667 today for a free consultation to learn how our attorneys can help you access the benefits you deserve.

Pitta & Baione LLP Successful Claims

BREAST CANCER

^$3+ Million

Secured an expedited award for a former Lower Manhattan corporate executive who developed 9/11 breast cancer.

BRAIN CANCER

^$1.95+ Million

Favorable result secured for an NYPD detective who responded to the attacks and later suffered from 9/11 brain cancer.

LUNG CANCER

^$1.76+ Million

Secured a wrongful death claim on behalf of a union carpenter who worked on the 9/11 cleanup efforts at Ground Zero and was later diagnosed with 9/11 lung cancer.

THYROID CANCER

^$1.65+ Million

Secured a favorable result for an area worker in Lower Manhattan who later developed 9/11 thyroid cancer.

BRAIN CANCER

^$1.7+ Million

Secured an expedited award for New York State Supreme Court employee who was disabled by 9/11 brain cancer.

LEUKEMIA

^$1.3+ Million

Secured a wrongful death award on behalf of a Lower Manhattan corporate executive who was diagnosed with 9/11 leukemia.

LUNG CANCER

^$1.1+ Million

Secured an expedited award for a union carpenter who worked in Lower Manhattan after 9/11 and was later found disabled by 9/11 lung cancer.

LUNG DISEASE

^$1.1+ Million

Secured an expedited award for a Local 94 operating engineer who worked in Lower Manhattan after 9/11 and was later found disabled by 9/11 lung disease.

NASAL CAVITY CANCER

^$1+ Million

Secured an xpedited award for a DSNY sanitation worker who assisted in the 9/11 cleanup efforts at Ground Zero and was later diagnosed with 9/11 nasal cavity cancer.

BRAIN CANCER

^$1+ Million

Secured an expedited award for a New York City Department of Corrections corrections officer who served as a volunteer responder on 9/11 and later developed a disabling and rare 9/11 brain cancer.

LUNG CANCER

^$960+ Thousand

Secured a favorable result for a wrongful death claim on behalf of a TWU Local 100 MTA worker who participated in the 9/11 recovery efforts and later developed 9/11 lung cancer.

COLON CANCER

^$770+ Thousand

Successfully represented an union carpenter who built temporary structures at Ground Zero as a 9/11 responder and later developed disabling 9/11 colon cancer.

View More Successful Claims