9/11 BENEFIT PROGRAMS

THE ZADROGA ACT

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Passed in 2010, the Zadroga Act provides funding for two vital 9/11 benefits programs: the World Trade Center Health Program and the Victim Compensation Fund. Through these programs, the Zadroga Act offers those affected by 9/11 access to health care benefits and compensation.

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WHAT IS THE ZADROGA ACT?

In 2010, Congress passed the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 (the “Zadroga Act”). The act was originally named to honor a New York Police Department officer who died after being exposed to toxic dust and debris from the World Trade Center.

A Zadroga lawyer at Pitta & Baione LLP focuses his or her practice on helping survivors and first responders of the September 11, 2011 terrorist attacks access the free healthcare and financial compensation provided by the “Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund Act.”

The Zadroga Act provides 911 first responders and survivors with access to free healthcare and financial compensation through two programs:

The World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP)
The 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF)

These funds ensure that both the responders who rushed to the scene and the survivors of the 9/11 attack are supported as they continue to rebuild their lives.

Victim Compensation Fund Read More

World Trade Center Health Program Read More

HOW DOES A ZADROGA LAWYER HELP ME?

The WTCHP and VCF work to ensure that the survivors of 9/11 are never forgotten. Both programs cover a specific list of injuries and illnesses attributable to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. This list is maintained by the WTCHP, and includes almost all types of cancer, interstitial lung diseases, aerodigestive disorders, and acute traumatic injuries.

The WTCHP provides free medical monitoring and treatment to eligible first responders and survivors.
The VCF provides financial compensation to eligible responders, survivors, and to loved ones of those who have since passed away.

These two programs work together to provide comprehensive benefits to eligible survivors and first responders exposed to toxic dust, debris, and smoke as a result of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

World Trade Center Health Program

Fully funded through 2090. Physical and Psychological Conditions.

South of Houston Street — 9/11/01 – 7/31/02

1 Benefits

Free healthcare for covered conditions
Monitoring
Treatment
Medication
2 COVERED CONDITIONS

70+ Cancers
Aerodigestive Disorders
Lung Diseases
Acute tramatic Injuries
Musculosketeal Disorders
Psychological Conditions
3 ELIGIBLITY

Exposure Groups

a. Survivors
Individuals present south of Huston Street and within a 1.5 mile radius from the former WTC-site between 9/11/01-7/30/02 (area worker, resident, student, caretaker, etc.).

b. Responders
Generally: Ground Zero; Fresh Kills; debris removal routes (piers, barges, transfer stations); garages where vehicles were cleaned and rehabilitated; Medical Examiner’s Office; temporary morgues.

HOW LONG WILL THE ZADROGA ACT BE IN EFFECT?

The original Zadroga Act allocated $4.2 billion to 9/11 survivors, responders, and the families of deceased loved ones. Under the original act, both the WTCHP and the VCP were set to expire in October 2016. In 2015, the Reauthorized Zadroga Act significantly increased funding and extended the deadline for both programs, allowing the WTCHP to operate until late 2090 and the VCF to remain open until December 2020.

In July 2019, the Zadroga Act was renamed to honor additional first responders at Ground Zero who battled cancer and became permanently reauthorized to the year 2090. Both the VCF and WTC Health Program created under the original Zadroga Act will be available through 2090 and the VCF is permanently funded.

HOW CAN A ZADROGA LAWYER HELP?

If you are eligible for free health services under the WTCHP and/or financial compensation under the VCF, a Zadroga attorney at Pitta & Baione LLP can help you file a claim.

Unlike other firms that typically focus on claims under the VCF, our lawyers have extensive experience filing claims under both programs. Enrolling in the WTCHP to have your medical conditions certified is often a required step to receive compensation from the VCF. If you might have a claim, contact a Zadroga attorney at our firm today by calling 844-982-2667.

WHAT IF I ALREADY HAVE A DOCTOR I LIKE?

Services and benefits of the WTCHP are completely voluntary after your medical conditions have been assessed and certified.

Regardless of the healthcare treatment you choose, it is important to note that health services will only be free of charge under the WTCHP if:

They are provided by a WTCHP physician; and
They relate to and/or are designed to treat the patient’s Covered Condition.

WTCHP members are free to choose whether they receive treatment from a WTCHP provider, from another provider, or through some combination of the two. For example, some WTCHP members may choose to continue treatment with their existing health professionals – but only use the WTCHP pharmacy benefits in order to eliminate their prescription drug copayments.

HOW DOES THE WORLD TRADE CENTER HEALTH PROGRAM WORK WITH MY EXISTING HEALTH INSURANCE?

The WTCHP does not conflict with any existing private or public health plans and generally serves to ensure that benefits are provided at no cost to the WTCHP member. In some instances, benefits under the WTCHP will be coordinated with the benefits or coverage available from your insurance provider. For example:

For responders, the WTCHP serves as the first payer for medical and mental health treatment services (meaning that existing health insurance will never be billed for any medical treatment service rendered by the WTCHP to treat a certified 9/11-related health condition).
For survivors who have existing public or private health insurance, your existing health insurance serves as the first payer and will be billed first for any medically necessary treatment rendered by the WTCHP. The WTCHP then covers any remaining costs not covered by your primary insurance so that there is no final cost to the patient.

Regardless of your health insurance coverage, as a WTCHP member you will never be responsible for paying any co-insurance charges, copayments, or deductibles for treatment of your Covered Condition, so long as the services are provided by a WTCHP physician.

WHY DO I NEED A WTC LAWYER?

Although anyone can submit an application to participate in the WTCHP, we do not advise going through this process without help from a knowledgeable World Trade Center lawyer. Unlike other law firms that burden their clients with completing application paperwork, at Pitta & Baione LLP our experienced WTC team will do all the legwork for you. An incomplete and/or incorrect application is the number one cause of delays and denials of coverage under the WTCHP. You may risk losing your benefits if you do not know how the process works.

At Pitta & Baione LLP, our lawyers help clients with WTCHP applications every day. We understand the process, have good relationships with decision makers, and regularly counsel clients on the WTCHP application and eligibility requirements. We know how to prepare an application that is likely to be approved. In fact, unlike many other firms that advise clients in this space, our WTC team of attorneys, paralegals, and benefits coordinators will complete all of the paperwork for your review, thus saving you time and hassle.

We also regularly help expedite claims for clients who need to access their health benefits quickly. Even if you do not currently have symptoms of a covered health condition, if you were exposed to toxic air conditions during and after the September 11 attacks, there is no reason not to contact us today.

If the information provided on this page seems confusing, that’s because it is. Pitta & Baione LLP can help. Call us today at 844-740-2952 and let a World Trade Center lawyer at our firm review your claim.

Are You Eligible
for Compensation?

Step 1 of 3

Were you or a loved one present south of Houston St. between 9/11/01-7/31/02 for any reason?

South of Houston(Required)

YES

Your Attorneys On-Call

Pitta & Baione LLP was founded to advocate for 9/11 victims and provide dependable counsel. Beyond our core work, we serve as trusted legal advisors on various matters, including litigation, real estate, business law, and have experience with mass tort cases, such as Round Up. Our experienced team and extensive pofessional network ensure comprehensive support. Think of us as your on-call attorneys — ready to help when you need us.

Learn More

Eligible
for Compensation?

No one should have to bear the costs of battling a 9/11 cancer or illness alone. It only takes a few minutes to see if you may be eligible for free healthcare benefits and other compensation. Having a lawyer by your side can help you maximize the benefits you receive, and ensure your rights are protected.

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Our law firm doesn’t have cases, it has clients, and we do whatever it takes to help them.

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Our experience with the members of Pitta and Baione, including Sidrah, Franchesca and Lian, has been extraordinary throughout the four years of our case. They exhibited superb knowledge and diligence, keeping us informed every step along the way. Even when our case was initially denied, they never stopped forging ahead and were able to achieve an amazing successful appeal. Always professional and supportive, these legal experts are tops in their field and we highly recommend Pitta and Baione as a professional, knowledgeable and ethical law firm.

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As a Pentagon responder, I spent decades excluded from the World Trade Center Health Program because of a technical loophole. When I met Matt Baione, he became not only my attorney but my partner in the long effort to fix that injustice. Together, we worked on a legislative and press advocacy campaign to close the gap in the law that prevented Pent...

As a Pentagon responder, I spent decades excluded from the World Trade Center Health Program because of a technical loophole. When I met Matt Baione, he became not only my attorney but my partner in the long effort to fix that injustice. Together, we worked on a legislative and press advocacy campaign to close the gap in the law that prevented Pentagon responders like me from getting the care we needed. Once the law was changed, Matt guided me through WTCHP enrollment and helped me finally get access to doctors who understood 9/11 exposures and the conditions that come with them. After years of being misdiagnosed and dismissed by physicians unfamiliar with 9/11 illnesses, I finally received real answers and effective treatment. Matt then represented me personally at my VCF hearing and secured my award. His professionalism, integrity, and commitment have been exceptional at every step. After decades of struggling, I finally received both the medical support and the recognition I should have always been entitled to — and that is directly because of Matt’s work. I recommend him and his firm with the highest confidence. The result is that I finally got the treatment I needed, and my symptoms are improving. Matt stepped into this matter just as I was going to give up. He was tenacious. He was knowledgeable. He was energetic. He was relentless. The outcome was better than I had hoped. You cannot go wrong with Matt Baione as your counsel.

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(Translated by Google) Bai An Law Firm has earned its excellent reputation in the industry precisely because of dedicated, wise, and compassionate legal professionals like Attorney Su Ying. They are not only guardians of the law but also practitioners of social trust and justice. (Original) 白安律师事务所正是因为有像苏莹律师这样...

(Translated by Google) Bai An Law Firm has earned its excellent reputation in the industry precisely because of dedicated, wise, and compassionate legal professionals like Attorney Su Ying. They are not only guardians of the law but also practitioners of social trust and justice. (Original) 白安律师事务所正是因为有像苏莹律师这样敬业、睿智又充满人文关怀的法律人，才能在业内树立起良好的口碑。他们不仅是法律的守护者，更是社会信任与公义的实践者。

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(Translated by Google) I would like to thank every staff member of the legal team for their help and their diligent and responsible work. Thank you! (Original) 感谢律师团队的每一位工作人员对我的帮助，工作认真负责，谢谢！
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(Translated by Google) This law firm does a great job and deserves praise, recommendation and trust. (Original) 這個律師樓做得非常好，👍值得点赞，推荐和信赖。