One of the many contaminants found at Ground Zero and in the surrounding area after the 9/11 terrorist attacks was benzene — a chemical used in jet fuel linked to leukemia. While aiding in the rescue and recovery efforts, thousands of responders were exposed to the toxin, putting them at a higher than average risk of developing leukemia and blood cancers. Hundreds of residents who lived south of Canal Street in Manhattan have also been diagnosed with lymphomas and leukemia due to breathing in the harmful air in the NYC Exposure Zone.
Leukemia, lymphomas, and other blood cancers often have long latency periods and continue to surface in survivors and responders two decades later. If you were diagnosed with an eligible 9/11 blood cancer, you may be entitled to receive compensation from the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. The Dearie Law Firm, P.C. has over a decade of experience assisting the 9/11 community in filing VCF claims to help ensure responders, survivors, and their families obtain the monetary award they deserve for the impact their 9/11 cancer condition has had on their lives.
Types of 9/11 Blood Cancer
According to research findings, while responders and survivors have an increased risk of cancer in general, 9/11 police officers and recovery workers have a significantly higher chance of developing leukemia. The VCF compensates for leukemia and all forms of 9/11 blood cancers certified by the WTC Health Program, including:
• Diffuse non-Hodgkin lymphoma
• Follicular non-Hodgkin lymphoma
• Myeloma
• B-cell lymphoma
• T-cell lymphoma
• Acute or chronic leukemia
• Lymphoid leukemia
• Hodgkin’s disease
• Monocytic leukemia
• Multiple myeloma and malignant plasma cell neoplasms
• Myeloid leukemia
Leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma are among the top 15 most commonly certified cancers by the WTC Health Program. Unfortunately, the warning signs — which may include fever, chills, fatigue, reoccurring infections, and swollen lymph nodes — often go unnoticed until the condition is in the later stages.
9/11 blood cancer may develop between 1.5 and 15 years after exposure to the toxins that caused it. Since the time it can take for blood cancer to appear in responders and survivors can vary widely, the WTC Health Program has assigned a minimum latency period of .4 years for lymphoproliferative and hematopoietic cancers. It’s vital that responders and survivors who spent time in lower Manhattan in the months after the terrorist attacks enroll for health monitoring and cancer screenings with the WTC Health Program to discover any 9/11 illnesses or diseases as early as possible.
VCF Compensation for 9/11 Blood Cancer
A diagnosis of a 9/11 blood cancer can take a considerable toll on a responder, survivor, and their family. If you were present in the NYC Exposure Zone between September 11, 2001 and May 2002, you may be entitled to receive compensation from the VCF for your economic and non-economic loss. Importantly, to submit a claim to the VCF for your 9/11-related leukemia or blood cancer, the condition must first be certified by the WTC Health Program.
VCF economic loss awards are meant to compensate responders and survivors for the monetary damages they’ve suffered due to their 9/11-related cancer. The VCF may issue an award for loss of earnings and employment benefits, as well as out-of-pocket medical expenses. In some personal injury claims, the VCF may also compensate for replacement services loss for tasks or chores you are no longer able to perform in the household.
The VCF also awards non-economic loss to responders and survivors for the pain and suffering they’ve endured in connection with their 9/11-related illnesses, based on the severity of the condition. Responders and survivors who have been diagnosed with a blood cancer such as leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma may receive up to $250,000 in compensation for their eligible 9/11 cancer.
The family of a responder or survivor who passed away as a result of their 9/11-related blood cancer may also receive compensation for the wrongful death of their loved one. In addition to receiving an award for monetary loss such as loss of earnings, loss of employment benefits, and replacement services loss, the family may be compensated an additional $250,000 for the victim, and $100,000 on account of the spouse and each dependent.
Contact a VCF Attorney For Help Filing Your 9/11 Blood Cancer Claim
If you’re a 9/11 responder or survivor who developed an eligible blood cancer, you may be entitled to recover compensation from the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. However, the claim filing process and the regulations involved can be overwhelming. An experienced VCF attorney can assist you with filing your claim and ensure you meet all the necessary deadlines to avoid your claim being denied. The Dearie Law Firm, P.C. has been helping responders, survivors, and their families in the 9/11 community secure their rightful compensation from the VCF for over a decade. Contact us for a consultation.