A monetary award from the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund can be vital for anyone who developed an illness due to spending time in the NYC Exposure Zone after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. However, it’s important to be aware of the VCF’s deadlines if you are an eligible responder or survivor. Strict VCF time frames must be observed to help ensure you obtain the compensation to which you’re entitled.
The VCF’s Registration Deadline
Registration does not obligate you to file a claim, but it preserves your right to do so. The first deadline that responders and survivors should be familiar with is the VCF’s registration deadline. Before you can file a claim with the VCF, you must register. This deadline is different for everyone, depending upon when your health condition was certified by the WTC Health Program.
For a personal injury claim, you are required to register within two years of the date the WTC Health Program or a federal, state, or local government entity notifies you that your illness or health condition is related to 9/11. If you have already been certified by the Program for one or more conditions, the two-year registration time frame is counted from the date of the latest certification. In the event you have not been certified by the WTC Health Program, the two-year deadline would begin on the date the New York Workers’ Compensation Board or a New York City employer pension fund found you were entitled to receive 9/11-related benefits.
The VCF’s Claim Filing Deadline
It’s vital to note the difference between the VCF’s registration deadline and the claim filing deadline. These are two separate and distinct time frames that should not be confused. While the registration deadline is much shorter, responders and survivors have until October 1, 2090, to file a claim. Under the “Never Forget the Heroes, James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act,” the VCF is fully funded to pay out on all eligible claims filed up to that date.
Significantly, the VCF encourages responders and survivors to file their claims as soon as possible so that they can be reviewed. The VCF evaluates claims on a first-in, first-out basis, so it’s essential to submit your claim package once you have obtained certification for your condition and know the extent of your economic losses. The VCF calculates each award individually by considering the economic losses incurred and the pain and suffering sustained by a victim.
Unlike the registration deadline, the claim filing deadline is the same for everyone.
Contact an Experienced 9/11 VCF Attorney
If you were diagnosed with a 9/11-related health condition, you might be eligible to receive an award from the VCF. For over a decade, the 9/11 VCF attorneys at The Dearie Law Firm, P.C. have helped victims and their families recover the maximum compensation they deserve for their losses. For a free consultation, contact us today.