A 9/11 Attorney Will Help You Establish the Location Requirement

On September 11, 2001, the enormous loss of life was just the beginning of the 9/11 tragedy. In the years that followed, its full scope came into clearer focus. Virtually everyone who lived, worked, or studied in Lower Manhattan on 9/11 and the months after that were exposed to deadly toxins released by the collapse of the World Trade Center and are still at risk of developing 9/11-related illnesses. The 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) provides benefits for all of those individuals, but, to qualify, they must prove that they were present in the area. Our 9/11 attorney explains how to do so below. 

Exposure Zones and Timeframe

NYC Exposure Zone

The NYC Exposure Zone is the VCF-determined area surrounding Ground Zero where individuals must have lived, worked, or studied to be eligible to receive VCF benefits. It mainly consists of Lower Manhattan south of a 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.

9/11 Exposure Zone

Additional locations include any 9/11 site, including the Pentagon site, the Shanksville, PA site, and any other building that was destroyed as a result of the terrorist attacks. 

Timeframe 

To be eligible, a claimant must have been present at one of the sites in the “immediate aftermath” of the attacks, which is defined as the period beginning with the aircraft crashes of September 11, 2001, and ending on May 30, 2002. There is no minimum requirement for the amount of time an individual must have been present at one of the relevant sites. 

How to Prove You Were Present at a 9/11 Site in Order to Receive VCF or WTC Benefits

It can often be difficult to definitively prove that you were present at a particular place during a certain time, especially many years after the fact. However, the VCF accepts a wide range of documents proving that you were present in a 9/11 site during the relevant timeframe, including: 

• A letter from your employer confirming your work at the World Trade Center site
• An official personnel roster
• Pay stubs listing your employer’s address within the NYC Exposure Zone and confirming employment
• Orders, instructions, site credentials, or confirmation of tasks performed 
• A sworn Employer Verification Form
• A lease, proof of rent payment, mortgage receipts, or utility bills that list the address within the NYC Exposure zone
• School or daycare records confirming enrollment or attendance during the relevant period
• Worker’s injury reports documenting treatment as a result of an injury that occurred at the site
• Medical records documenting treatment as a result of an injury that occurred at the site during the immediate aftermath of the attacks
• A sworn and notarized affidavit
• A personal statement (including as much detail as possible)

If you are having difficulty proving your presence, an attorney may be able to help you recover the necessary documents. Alternatively, a 9/11 attorney can help you prepare affidavits and personal statements that make the strongest arguments possible in support of your claim. 

Contact Our 9/11 Attorney to Get Help With Proving Your Presence

For more information about proving your presence at a 9/11 site or to get help with preparing affidavits or personal statements, please contact the 9/11 attorney at Pitta & Baione LLP by using our online contact form or by calling us at 212-658-1766.

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

Read Real Reviews

I highly recommend Pitta Baione law firm. Matthew and Chris are prompt to return calls, extremely professional, diligent, attentive and compassionate. They listen to your concerns and don't stop working on your behalf until they get results.

Linda Grandstaff

From our initial phone call, we felt extremely confident in Pitta & Baione LLP. handling our 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund claim. Their expertise and familiarity with the 9/11 VCF claims process was evident in all that they did to help us with all aspects of our claim. We consistently felt their commitment to us and we continue to consider them a valued and trusted source of support.

Dawn Tauber

The attorneys in this firm were understanding, compassionate, took the time to explain everything that was needed. They kept me up-to-date with the progress of my case and did everything possible to expedite it to a successful conclusion. I would highly recommend this firm to anyone who needed the assistance that I did

Robert Crook

Professional, Excellent, Caring and Distinguished Attorneys and Staff who make every client special. Always striving and determined to accomplish a positive end result. They continually keep everyone up to date with the progress and reports about a clients case. An exceptional and considerate firm. I continually refer friends and family as well as anyone looking for a great group. Thank you for your assistance. It is greatly appreciated.

George Kvocka

Matthew and his brother Chris helped me get a settlement so quickly it took my breath away! They were both not only professional and knowledgeable, but they took the time to actually talk to me and get to know me, I didn't feel like just another client, but family. They helped expedite my settlement in record time, when I needed it most!

Leslie Tarver

Christopher Baione is the Partner at the firm who assisted me with my legal needs. During a very difficult time in my life he was very patient, listened to my concerns, always had time to answer my questions and was available via phone or email. I hope to not need to call him again, but if I do, he will be the attorney I will be visiting. Excellent attorney. 5 stars from me

Carmen Fiallo

I thank you for your amazing services, very professional, respectful...my dad and I were very pleased... we appreciate Mr Matthew Baione very much and staff... we need good people like them to have a better world.

Anonymous

The firm is very professional, in particular the two Baione brothers. The staff that I had and conversations with were pleasant and very cordial. Most of all I was never confused on what was needed from me regarding my case. They have worked as speedy as I could have wished in helping me with my case. Good Group keep up the good work.

John Bucalo

My wife tells me that we were rejected by two other law firms because they felt there was no case.than she found the Baione brothers.not only did they take the case,held our hands the whole time but got us the maximum we hoped to receive

Anonymous

Previous Next