9/11 Benefits for Clean-Up Workers
The attacks of 9/11 left behind 1.8 million tons of rubble. Clean-up efforts were dangerous; debris consisted of sharp, unstable pieces of iron and steel laid on top of burning fires, which prompted many workers to write their names on their arms if they fell or were crushed. Those who assisted with the cleanup process suffered significant exposure to the toxins that were released when the towers fell.
The exposure from 9/11 has caused numerous health issues in thousands of people. Our WTC lawyer team helps the men and women who were exposed to 9/11 debris secure benefits under the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF).
9/11 CLEAN-UP WORKERS SUFFER A VARIETY OF HEALTH CONDITIONS
Anyone exposed to Ground Zero toxins is at risk of developing 9/11-related health conditions, but, generally, the greater the exposure, the worse the health outcomes. For those who sifted through contaminated debris for weeks and months, some common 9/11-related health conditions include:
- Lung disease and other respiratory illness
- Cancers, including cancer of the skin, bones, breasts, digestive system, and thyroid
- Acute traumatic injuries
- Mesothelioma and asbestos-related diseases
- Musculoskeletal disorders
- Digestive illnesses and injuries
9/11 clean-up workers whose conditions are certified by the WTC Health Program as 9/11-related may qualify for benefits as part of the Victim Compensation Fund (VCF). With the help of a WTC lawyer, you can apply for benefits for your 9/11-related health condition.
PROVE YOUR PRESENCE AT A 9/11 SITE WITH HELP FROM OUR WTC LAWYER
The second step after getting your health condition certified as 9/11-related is to prove to the VCF that you were present at a 9/11 crash site or in the NYC exposure zone for clean-up efforts between September 11, 2001 and May 30, 2002.
Some relevant documents clean-up workers could use for this purpose include:
- A third-party verification form signed by your employer or other organization that attests to your presence
- Contemporaneous documents, including official personnel rosters, medical records documenting treatment for injuries that occurred at the site, responder dispatch records, etc.
- Witness presence statements or affidavits
IMPORTANT VCF DEADLINES
There are two important deadlines to keep in mind when submitting a VCF claim: the registration deadline and the claim filing deadline. The registration deadline (the deadline by which you must register with the VCF to alert them that you are a potential claimant) is within two years of the latest date on which the WTC Health Program certifies your condition as 9/11-related. The claim filing deadline (the deadline by which you must formally submit your claim) is October 1, 2090 — the program’s expiration date.
CONTACT A WTC LAWYER FOR HELP APPLYING TODAY
If you think you may qualify for VCF benefits, please contact a WTC lawyer at Pitta & Baione by using our online contact form or calling us at 844-901-1312.
