Purpose of the 9 11 Compensation Fund
When you’re a victim of a terrorist attack, your life is turned upside down. You suffer from physical harm or the loss of a loved one. You may also find that you are diagnosed with a condition that is related to the attacks. For many people, the aftermath of 9/11 can be even more traumatic than the attacks themselves. For those who suffered from 9/11-related illness or lost a loved one, there are compensation options for you to pursue. The 9 11 compensation fund offers support for first responders, volunteers, and others who became sick or died as a result of exposure to toxic dust after the terror attacks on September 11. We can help you file your claim and receive the funds you deserve.
What is the purpose of the 9 11 compensation fund?
The United States government created the original 9 11 compensation fund (VCF I) to support those who suffered physical harm or the personal representatives of those who were killed in the attacks. The VCF was closed in 2004 and the government decided to reopen it when the public realized that first responders, clean-up workers, and residents of the World Trade Center were suffering from and dying from a range of illnesses that had been caused by their exposure to harmful chemicals and carcinogens at Ground Zero and in the WTC debris pile.
As more and more people developed severe illnesses after the attacks, Congress expanded the scope of what could qualify for compensation under the new fund. Ultimately, the VCF was reopened several times and awarded nearly 7 billion dollars to victims as a result of changes to the legislation that authorized it.
What is the Purpose of the 9 11 Compensation Fund?
In 2015, President Obama passed the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act of 2015. This new law reopened the VCF and extended its claims period to 2090. It also added 58 additional types of cancer to the list of qualifying illnesses under the law.
The new law was a success, but it did not solve the issue of ensuring that enough money would be available to pay all the claims that were expected under the reauthorized law. In July 2019, President Trump signed into law The Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund, or more commonly referred to as the VCF Permanent Authorization Act. This new legislation ensures that the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund will be fully funded into the future to serve the needs of survivors and their families for decades to come.
VCF awards are calculated based on the location where you were located during the 9/11 attacks and your capacity or response role at that site. There are certain criteria that must be met to be awarded a claim, including the need to have been certified by the World Trade Center Health Program as having a 9/11-related condition. Our attorneys can guide you through the process of applying for a claim, which is not an easy task and requires extensive documentation.