The negative health effects caused by inhaling the toxins in the 9/11 dust cloud have been significant for responders and survivors. Statistics show that those who aided in the rescue and recovery efforts — including FDNY, NYPD, and others who helped with the debris removal — have a substantially higher risk of developing cancer. Thousands who worked at Ground Zero or lived in the Exposure Zone have been diagnosed with at least one cancer condition linked to the toxic dust, and many developed two or more.
If you’re a responder or survivor who was diagnosed with any form of cancer, you may be entitled to receive medical care from the WTC Health Program and a monetary award from the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. The Dearie Law Firm, P.C. provides dedicated representation for 9/11 responders, survivors, and their families to help them obtain the maximum compensation they’re entitled to receive from the VCF for their 9/11-related cancers.
9/11-Related Eligible Cancers
The dust that saturated the air at Ground Zero and in the NYC Exposure Zone in the months following the 9/11 terrorist attacks contained over 2,500 contaminants such as heavy metals, benzene, cement, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, dioxins, and other known carcinogens. Exposure to these chemicals resulted in responders and survivors developing various cancers and other health conditions.
The VCF recognizes all cancers as eligible for compensation, including:
• Leukemia and blood cancers
• Female and male breast cancer
• Childhood cancers
• Digestive system cancers
• Lung cancer
• Mesothelioma
• Head and neck cancers
• Ovarian cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Rare cancers
• Cancers of the respiratory system
• Urinary system cancers
• Thyroid cancer
• Soft and connective tissue cancers
• Skin cancers
Since cancers can take years to develop, the WTC Health Program assigns a minimum latency period to each type of cancer from the date of exposure, ranging between .4 years for leukemia and blood cancers to 11 years for mesothelioma. In addition to satisfying the required time frame, responders and survivors must also meet the WTC Health Program’s presence criteria to have their cancer conditions certified in order to receive compensation from the VCF.
VCF Compensation for 9/11 Cancer Claims
The Victim Compensation Fund awards both economic and non-economic damages for 9/11 cancer claims. While the VCF considers the severity of each responder and survivor’s condition on an individual basis to determine the amount of compensation they will be awarded, non-economic loss awards for pain and suffering are capped at $250,000 for a cancer condition.
However, VCF compensation may be increased in limited circumstances — for instance, if you have multiple cancer conditions or a diagnosis of a presumptively severe non-cancer condition, in addition to a cancer.
The VCF may compensate economic loss for past and future lost earnings and loss of benefits in connection with 9/11-related eligible cancer claims, as well as out-of-pocket medical costs. In some cases, replacement services loss will also be awarded for a VCF personal injury claim.
VCF Wrongful Death Claims for 9/11 Cancer Conditions
Families who have lost loved ones due to an eligible 9/11-related cancer may be entitled to receive an award for their economic and non-economic losses by filing a VCF wrongful death claim. This can include compensation for lost earnings and benefits, replacement services loss, unreimbursed medical expenses, and burial or memorial costs.
Under the Zadroga Act, the spouse and dependents of a 9/11 responder or survivor who passed away from an eligible cancer may be entitled to receive additional non-economic loss of
$100,000 each, and $250,000 for the decedent. However, if the victim died from causes other than the eligible 9/11-related cancer, their family may still be entitled to recover compensation for the pain and suffering their eligible condition caused before they died.
Contact a New York City 9/11 VCF Cancer Claims Attorney
If you were diagnosed with a 9/11-related cancer — or lost a loved one to a 9/11 cancer — you may be entitled to an award from the VCF for the monetary loss you incurred due to your condition, as well as for your pain and suffering. The Dearie Law Firm, P.C. has secured more than $150 million over the past decade for 9/11 responders and survivors, including FDNY and NYPD members, EMTs, construction workers, residents, and anyone who was present at Ground Zero and lived or worked in the NYC Exposure Zone. Contact us for a consultation.