The September 11th World Trade Center terrorist attack crippled many families mentally, physically, and financially. This fueled the creation of the Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) to offer financial assistance to those who sustained physical injuries or lost a loved one during the 9/11 terrorist attacks and cleanup efforts.
However, navigating the system can be challenging for survivors and family members seeking compensation, especially if they lack complete information. Important ideas listed below will help people trying to get the treatment they are entitled to and access to the VCF.
Know Who is Eligible
Eligibility covers a lot more than just those who were present at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. It targets those in the exposure zones, the area south of Canal Street in Manhattan between September 11, 2001, and May 30, 2002. The coverage extends to emergency responders and cleanup crews and anyone who lived, worked, or attended school in the zone.
Claims on behalf of the survivors may also be submitted by their close relatives. Some of these illnesses, like respiratory disease and some cancers, will not show themselves years after exposure. Survivors or their families may be given financial as well as non-economic compensation should a disease be proven to be related to 9/11 circumstances.
Get Qualified Legal Counsel
Lawyers knowledgeable in the VCF program can help claimants at every step of the process, from getting records and filing claims to answering questions by the VCF or challenging decisions. Understanding prior case precedents and legal terminology guarantees the possibility of recovering the maximum award amount.
Expert attorneys will also prove very useful in establishing difficult-to-end evidence or building a sound causation argument, which is usually the most challenging part of the process. There are indeed several law firms that handle 9/11 compensation claims and work on a contingency fee basis.
According to Weisfuse & Weisfuse LLP, with good representation, the claim is not only complete but strategically worded to be worthy of a reasonable award. With caps imposed on attorney fees at 10% of the total award, families can take advantage of the legal advice without risking unreasonably excessive expense.
Register Within Time
People must register their intention to claim within two years of discovering that they possess a 9/11-related disease verified by the World Trade Center Health Program or upon learning of the death of a loved one due to such a disease within two years. The regulation ensures claims are made when evidence is available and proper documents are ready.
The deadline is bewildering to all, particularly the newly diagnosed and those who have never had awareness of the VCF being. There must be a distinction between “registration” and “submission,” where registration only keeps your door open to submit a claim at some other time. Moving promptly is always prudent to be on the safe side.
Obtain Certification from the WTC Health Program
A claimant’s condition has to be certified by the World Trade Center Health Program before review by the VCF. The federal program provides for medical monitoring and treatment of survivors and first responders exposed to the poisonous 9/11 rubble. Certification is achieved through a medical exam linking a specific condition like asthma, chronic bronchitis, or certain cancers to 9/11 exposure.
Certification is critical because the VCF is making this medical determination for the purpose of determining eligibility for verification. In the absence of it, a thoroughly documented claim otherwise is denied. Enrollment in the WTC Health Program not only provides one with access to reduced-rate or no-cost care but also increases the chances of an approved claim for compensation. The determinations made by the program have substantial persuasive authority in the claims process.
Gather All Necessary Documentation
Gather the required evidence of presence in the exposure location and medical history of assistance with the diagnosis and treatment of the covered condition. Provide also work history as necessary and financial records such as tax returns or pay stubs. Deceased claimants may require more proof, including death certificates, autopsy examinations, and documentation of familial relationships.
Collecting such proof is particularly challenging due to the lapse of time. Past employment records may be nonexistent, and witnesses to confirm presence at a place may be unavailable. In such situations, supporting declarations by fellow workers or citizens, historic affidavits, and pictures can be utilized effectively.
File the VCF Claim Correctly
To file a claim to the VCF, an individual will be required to fill out a complicated form detailing the person’s exposure history, certified medical status, and financial loss. Claims are personal injury claims (filed by living individuals) or wrongful death claims (filed by relatives on behalf of deceased individuals).
A strong claim unequivocally states how the candidate was exposed, in what way the condition impacts daily life, and how much that it costs. In wrongful death claims, the application is to indicate how death occurred from a 9/11-related illness. Caution must be exercised excessively; even slight changes or missing information can hold up the process or garner less pay.
Endnote
While applying for the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund may be a worrisome experience to most survivors and families, it is a valuable source of compensation and acknowledgment of what they have endured. Knowledge of the limits of eligibility, speedy action, and good evidence organization can increase applicants’ chances of getting compensated. Whether seeking legal counsel or not, being informed and actively engaged in the process is what truly matters.
