9/11 Has Now Claimed More Lives from Diseases Than from the Attack

The tragic events that took place on September 11, 2001, when terrorists killed nearly 3,000 people won’t be forgotten by many of the American people. In the wake of those attacks, many Americans were left with a sense of shock and sadness.

The events of that day have had a lasting impact on our nation, both in terms of security and in terms of the way we live our lives. And while many people are fully aware of the devastating loss experienced that day, most don’t realize that many responders and survivors from that day are still being affected.

One study shows that 74% of responders who are also enrolled in the WTC Health Program have at least one 9/11-related mental or physical disease they’ve been diagnosed with.

Common Diseases among 9/11 survivors

Scientific American illustrates some of the most common diseases ailing survivors, which include Chronic Rhinosinusitis, Cancer, Asthma, and PTSD to name a few. Additionally, members of the WTC Health Program have been diagnosed with over 60 different types of cancer.

Most, if not all, of the diseases associated with that day, are chronic, meaning they will have long-lasting effects on those victims. And as time goes by, it’s likely that the severity of at least some of these diseases will continue to increase.

Mortality Rates

The sad reality of the matter is that the death count from that terrible day has continued to increase in the years that have since passed. A report from 2018 projected that by the end of that year, more people would be dead from toxic exposure from 9/11 than had lost their lives that day.

While nearly 3,000 people lost their lives from the terrorist attacks of 9/11, more than 4,500 people who were part of the WTH Health Program after that day have passed away. The number of lives lost from diseases post-9/11 has now exceeded the number of deaths on that day.

Victim Compensation Fund

The Victim Compensation Fund, or VCF, is a U.S. government program that provides financial compensation to eligible victims and their families for losses resulting from the September 11 terrorist attacks. This program was created by the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010.

Access to this fund is not limited to first responders only, but rather to anyone who worked, volunteered, went to school, or lived in the exposure area in the 8 months following the attacks.

If you or someone you know has been directly affected by diseases from that day, contact our office to start a claim and get the compensation you deserve.