Compensation and Medical Care for WTC Rescue and Clean-Up Workers

The September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States caused considerable harm, claiming thousands of lives in the initial collisions. Many more were injured or killed in the rescue and clean-up efforts and have been diagnosed with respiratory conditions and cancer as a result of their exposure to toxins at Ground Zero and the crash sites at the Pentagon and outside of Shanksville, PA. The injuries and loss of life caused by these attacks were profound, leaving families without loved ones to suffer not only the emotional trauma of their losses but the financial consequences as well.

Congress responded by establishing the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) shortly after September 11 to compensate the victims and families of victims in exchange for their agreement not to sue the airlines for their losses. The VCF originally operated from 2001 through 2003, paying out billions of dollars to families who filed claims. The last date to file a claim under the original fund was December 22, 2003.

After the fund closed, it became apparent that some first responders, volunteer workers, firefighters and others were suffering from serious health problems caused by their exposure to toxic dust at the World Trade Center (WTC) site and other crash sites in the aftermath of the attacks. These workers and volunteers participated in the rescue and clean-up efforts and years later began experiencing symptoms of serious respiratory conditions and even cancer. But the VCF had already closed. What could they do?

The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 (Zadroga Act) reactivated the VCF and established the WTC Health Program. This groundbreaking measure answered the countless pleas of those who had not benefited from the VCF. It also established a program that will provide free medical treatment and monitoring to responders and survivors of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. This act was signed into law in June of 2011, a decade after the initial attacks. Although cancer was originally not included in the list of conditions covered by the Zadroga Act, some 50 different forms of 9-11 related cancer were added in June of 2012 by WTC Health Program administrator Dr. John Howard.

How many first responders responded on 9/11

On that fateful day, thousands of brave men and women rushed head-on into the chaos to help others. These include members of the NYPD, NYFD, Port Authority, EMTs, and even MTA workers, sanitation, and other organizations did what they could to help with rescue, debris removal, and clean-up. According to the NY Fire Department, more than 400 firefighters were on the scene when the buildings collapsed. Other emergency services had several hundred people on site and helping clean up, rescue or evacuate the area. It is estimated that the US Coast Guard, in conjunction with local private boats, were able to evacuate over 500,000 civilians from the WTC site by water.

According to wikipedia, there were 412 emergency workers that lost their lives that day. We have learned as a result of the toxic dust in the air, the death toll unfortunately did not end there.

We Can Help first sick and injured first responders

Our World Trade Center attorneys have played an important role in representing the interests of the victims of the September 11 attacks on the United States. We secured a landmark settlement of $816.45 million for workers injured by WTC dust, after an eight-year battle and the largest respiratory disease lawsuit in history. We have already helped more than ten thousand police officers, firefighters, EMTs, construction workers and others who risked their lives to take part in the rescue, debris removal and clean-up operations at the WTC site. We stand prepared to assist you in seeking the compensation and medical treatment you may be entitled to under the Zadroga Act. Understanding how the Zadroga Act works, whether you are eligible and how to apply can be complex. You may also be faced with a denial of your claim. Our attorneys know exactly what information and supporting documentation is needed to help you apply for benefits. We can also protect your rights in filing an appeal if your application was denied.

You should not be overlooked if you were a first responder, volunteer or worker at any of the 9/11 collision sites. The re-opened VCF and WTC Health Program may provide you and your family with necessary financial support and medical care, but it is a matter of applying for and receiving benefits.

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