This September marks 20 years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center buildings, the Pentagon, and the Pennsylvania crash site. While many Americans continue to mourn lost family members, friends, and loved ones, there are also individuals who are still physically suffering years after these events.
If you were a survivor, first responder, or simply someone who was within any of the exposure zones or crash sites, you may be dealing with certain health conditions—perhaps even conditions that have yet to be diagnosed or have yet to develop.
These conditions can be severe and treatment can be expensive. Fortunately, there are ways for you and other victims to get compensation and benefits to help treat these conditions going forward—namely, through the Victim Compensation Fund (VCF).
Whether you are looking to amend a VCF claim to cover a new condition or you are looking to apply for the first time, here are some of the steps you need to take in order to file a successful claim.
1. Determine if you are eligible
The main purpose of the VCF is to offer compensation to those who sustained injuries, illnesses, or conditions as a result of the September 11 attacks. During the World Trade Center collisions, many were exposed to a dust cloud of chemicals that has caused them to develop debilitating conditions and diseases years later.
It’s worth noting that the VCF isn’t only for first responders and survivors of the attacks. Its benefits are available to students, workers, and anyone who was present at the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and Pennsylvania crash locations. As of July 2021, more than 66,500 claims have been filed to date.
If you were legitimately in Lower Manhattan’s exposure zone or either of the other crash sites, you may be eligible to file a VCF claim.
2. Consider hiring a lawyer
While you’re not required to hire an attorney when filing a VCF claim, it can certainly help your case.
For many people, the events of 9/11 bring back painful memories—experiences that they don’t particularly want to dwell on. The stresses and anxieties of filing a claim can be difficult to manage while you’re also battling a health condition.
An experienced lawyer can make filing a claim relatively quick and stress-free, allowing you to continue focusing on your health.
3. Register with the VCF
Once you have determined that you are eligible for VCF benefits, you will need to register with the fund.
Keep in mind that there are two different deadlines you’ll need to adhere to when filing a claim—a registration deadline and a claim filing deadline. The former is a much tighter deadline so you will need to act quickly during this step.
For personal injury claims, you are required to register within two years of the date you were notified of a 9/11-related condition.
For deceased claims, cases are to be registered within two years of the victim’s death or the date when a physician verified the condition as having been 9/11 related.
After you register, you will be given a claim number—write it down!
4. Get certified by the WTC Health Program
Next, you will need to enroll with the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program and have your condition certified for treatment. Check the WTC Health Program’s list of covered conditions to confirm your eligibility.
To apply for certification, you will need to submit supporting documentation and complete an application form. Review your documentation needs thoroughly, as insufficient supporting documentation is the top reason for application processing delays.
Make sure you complete this step and receive confirmation of your certification before filing your VCF claim!
5. File your claim
Once you have registered with the VCF and the WTC Health Program has certified your condition, you can file your claim. While registration deadlines are based on individual circumstances, the deadline for filing a claim is the same for everyone—October 1, 2090.
Using your account login and claim number, you’ll be able to access the online claim management system. Here, you’ll be given a checklist of documents to sign. Once every form has been executed, go ahead and submit your claim!
6. Amend your claim (if required)
There are circumstances in which you may be looking to amend an already-filed VCF claim. Perhaps your condition worsens, you have new information that would increase your compensation, or you are diagnosed with a new condition.
The good news is, so long as you are still eligible and the WTC Health Program certifies your new conditions, you can amend your VCF claim. Be sure to follow the VCF’s instructions for amending your type of case!
