Over the past twenty years, thousands of 9/11 responders and survivors have been diagnosed with various cancers due to inhaling the carcinogens in the toxic dust cloud in the NYC Exposure Zone. One of the most common forms of cancer found in those who were present at Ground Zero and in the area south of Canal Street is multiple myeloma.
Multiple myeloma is listed among the World Trade Center Health Program’s top 15 certified cancers — and it impacts hundreds of responders and survivors. Importantly, if you have been diagnosed with this type of cancer, you may be entitled to receive an award for your economic damages and pain and suffering from the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund.
Symptoms of Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is a form of blood cancer that affects the plasma cells. The malignant plasma cells collect in the bone marrow and crowd out healthy blood cells. Instead of producing helpful antibodies, the cells produce abnormal proteins that can cause tumors, kidney failure, destruction of the bones, anemia, and impaired immune function.
Symptoms of 9/11 multiple myeloma commonly include:
- Bone pain
- Nausea
- Appetite loss
- Fatigue
- Frequent infections
- Numbness or weakness in the legs
- Weight loss
- Excessive thirst
Immediate treatment isn’t always necessary in cases where multiple myeloma is slow-growing. If there are no physical symptoms, a doctor may recommend close monitoring. However, for those who do require treatment, various options are available. Although there is no cure for the condition, symptoms can be managed with drug therapies, stem cell transplants, experimental therapies, and supportive care.
A doctor will typically be able to conclude the stage of the disease through diagnostic testing. These include blood tests, bone marrow tests, chromosome analysis, and urine tests. The prognosis of multiple myeloma in a responder or survivor can be impacted by a number of factors, including age, overall health, and other circumstances.
VCF Compensation for 9/11 Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma can cause severe bone pain and complications that affect your daily life and ability to work. If you meet the VCF’s eligibility criteria, you may be entitled to receive compensation for the economic losses you incurred as a result of 9/11 multiple myeloma. Additionally, you may be awarded compensation for the non-economic losses you sustained due to the physical pain and mental suffering the condition caused.
A VCF award for economic loss covers lost earnings, benefits, replacement of lost services, and out-of-pocket expenses in connection with medical treatment for a 9/11-related illness. Under the Zadroga Act, the VCF may also issue a non-economic loss award up to $250,000 for a cancer condition such as multiple myeloma. The amount awarded depends on the severity of the disease and how it impacts your life.
The family members of a 9/11 responder or survivor who passed away due to multiple myeloma linked to the dust cloud may also be able to recover compensation by filing a VCF wrongful death claim.
It’s critical to understand that in order to receive a VCF award for multiple myeloma, the condition must first be certified by the WTC Health Program. While both entities are separate and provide different types of benefits and services to the 9/11 community, they work together for the purpose of helping responders and survivors obtain the monetary compensation to which they are entitled for their 9/11-related illnesses.
Contact a New York City 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund Attorney
If you were diagnosed with 9/11 multiple myeloma, you may be eligible to receive a monetary award from the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. However, the process associated with filing a VCF claim is often confusing. It’s best to have an experienced 9/11 VCF attorney in order to secure the maximum compensation you deserve.
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 more than a decade. For a free consultation, contact us today.