Generally, the 9/11 VCF compensates individuals for losses caused by eligible conditions they sustained as a result of events related to September 11, 2001. While no amount of money can truly heal the wounds so many suffered that day and continue to suffer, the VCF strives to ensure that 9/11 victims and survivors at least do not suffer financially. As such, the VCF covers two major types of losses: economic losses and non-economic losses.
Read on for an explanation of what these are and the benefits available to eligible claimants. For more information about VCF benefits, please contact a 911 fund lawyer.
Economic Losses
For individuals who are physically injured by an eligible condition, economic loss refers to earnings and benefits they lost before they submitted their claim to the VCF and earnings and benefits they expect to lose in the future as a result of their condition. These types of losses are similar to those a workers’ compensation or disability claimant might seek as a result of being out of work due to a physical condition. For claimants seeking economic loss, the VCF must determine whether they are unable to work or have a reduced ability to work because of a 9/11-related health condition.
To prove economic loss, claimants must submit:
- Evidence that they are unable to work because of an eligible condition, and
- Information related to the earnings and benefits they would have been entitled to receive
Once the claimant submits this information to the VCF, it will make a determination as to the amount he or she will receive based upon several factors, including the claimant’s age, income, percentage of disability, the date of onset of the disability, and benefits received from collateral sources (e.g., life insurance, disability benefits, VA benefits, etc.).
Non-Economic Losses
Non-economic losses are losses that cannot be strictly quantified financially, such as physical and emotional pain, physical impairment, inconvenience, mental anguish, disfigurement, loss of consortium, loss of enjoyment of life, and injury to reputation, among others. Because it is very difficult to place a specific dollar amount on the pain and suffering 9/11 victims and survivors face, the VCF awards non-economic losses by categories of claimants.
Claimants seeking non-economic losses for death are entitled to a presumed award of $250,000, plus an additional $100,000 for the claimant’s spouse and each dependent. For claimants seeking non-economic losses for injuries, the amount they are entitled to varies according to the severity of their conditions, but is capped at $250,000 for cancer conditions and $90,000 for non-cancer conditions. The Special Master may award non-economic losses beyond those caps in very special circumstances.
Contact a 911 Fund Lawyer for More Information about Benefits Available to 9/11 Survivors
The best way to ensure that you receive the full compensation you are entitled to is to seek the advice of counsel who can assist you in making the strongest claim possible to the VCF. To get started, please contact a 911 fund lawyer at Pitta & Baione by using our online contact form or by calling us at 844-982-2667.
