If you’ve been diagnosed with 9/11-related cancer, you might be wondering whether you can still file a claim, all these years later, with the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. The answer is yes — there is still time to submit a claim to receive a monetary award. You need to understand, however, that there are specific criteria and certain deadlines that you must meet.
When Is the VCF Deadline for Filing a Cancer Claim?
The VCF has two crucial deadlines to remember — the registration deadline and the claim filing deadline. To file a claim for 9/11-related cancer, you must first register to do so. Specifically, the VCF will be accepting claims from eligible responders and survivors for cancers and other 9/11-related health conditions until October 1, 2090. No new claims will be accepted beyond that point, although pending claims will continue to be processed.
The claim filing deadline is distinct from the registration deadline. Anyone who had a 9/11-related cancer or health condition certified by the WTC Health Program before July 29, 2019, was required to register by July 29, 2021. However, after this date, a responder or survivor has two years from the date of the latest certification to register to file a claim.
In deceased claims, a personal representative must register within two years from the victim’s date of death or on the date the VCF verified the cancer or other condition that caused the death as being 9/11-related, whichever is later. If the victim had registered a personal injury claim before passing away from their 9/11 cancer or health condition, the VCF would consider it timely.
What Cancer Conditions Are Compensated by the VCF?
To receive compensation from the VCF for 9/11 cancer, you must first have your condition certified by the World Trade Center Health Program. All forms of cancer-related exposure to the 9/11 dust cloud are eligible for compensation. The Program certifies all forms of cancer that relate to the toxins in the VCF’s NYC Exposure Zone, including the following:
- Leukemia and blood cancers
- Female and male breast cancer
- Childhood cancers
- Mesothelioma
- Head and neck cancers
- Digestive system cancers
- Lung cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Thyroid cancer
- Rare cancers
- Respiratory system cancers
- Urinary system cancers
- Soft and connective tissue cancers
- Skin cancers
The VCF issues both economic and non-economic losses for cancer and other 9/11-related health conditions. Economic losses are meant to compensate for past and future lost earnings, loss of benefits, out-of-pocket medical costs, and replacement services loss.
The VCF will take the severity of the condition into account when awarding non-economic loss for pain and suffering. For cancer conditions, non-economic loss awards are capped in the amount of $250,000. However, the Special Master may increase VCF compensation in limited circumstances involving multiple cancer diagnoses — or in cases where cancer and a presumptively severe non-cancer condition have been diagnosed.
Contact an Experienced New York City 9/11 VCF Attorney
If you were diagnosed with a 9/11-related cancer, you may be entitled to file a VCF claim. It’s crucial to have a knowledgeable VCF attorney by your side who can help you navigate the process and obtain the compensation you deserve for your 9/11-related health condition. The 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund attorneys at The Dearie Law Firm, P.C. have represented claimants and their families in 9/11 VCF claims for over a decade. For a free consultation, contact us today.