9/11 Benefits for Construction Workers

The collapse of the World Trade Center on 9/11 created a pile of debris — known to construction workers simply as “the pile” — that required 108,000 truckloads to remove over the course of eight months. The construction workers who assisted with the cleanup effort were exposed to significant amounts of toxic dust and fumes, which has caused them to suffer numerous 9/11-related health conditions in the years since. Fortunately, those construction workers are eligible for benefits under the 911 Victim Compensation Fund.

HOW CONSTRUCTION WORKERS CAN QUALIFY FOR VCF BENEFITS

To qualify for VCF benefits, construction workers must show two things:

They performed job-related duties at a 9/11 crash site or within the NYC exposure zone between September 11, 2001, and May 30, 2002;
They suffer from a certified 9/11-related health condition.

There is no minimum amount of time construction workers are required to have been present at a 9/11 site so long as they can document their presence at any point during the relevant time frame.

VERIFYING YOUR PRESENCE WITH THE HELP OF A 911 VICTIM COMPENSATION FUND LAWYER

To qualify for VCF benefits, you must show that you were present at a 9/11 site during the rescue, recovery, and clean-up period. There are a variety of documents construction workers can submit to verify their presence, including:

A third-party verification of presence signed by your employer that includes the dates and locations of your work
Witness presence statements and affidavits
Contemporaneous documents, including official personnel rosters, responder dispatch records or union shop steward records, worker’s injury reports documenting treatment of your injury that occurred at the site, etc.
Certain presence documents for specific employers

When submitting proof of presence, it is best to offer a variety of documents to build the strongest case for verifying your presence at a 9/11 site.

911 VICTIM COMPENSATION FUND DEADLINES TO KEEP IN MIND

There are a few important VCF-related deadlines to keep in mind. To begin the claims process, construction workers must register with the VCF within two years of the latest date on which the WTC Health Program certifies their health condition as 9/11-related. Once a construction worker has registered with the VCF, they have until October 1, 2090, to formally submit a claim.

START YOUR 911 VICTIM COMPENSATION FUND CLAIM TODAY

If you were a construction worker who assisted in the clean-up efforts at Ground Zero, our experienced 9/11 attorneys can help you determine your eligibility for 911 victim compensation fund benefits. To get started, please contact Pitta & Baione by using our online contact form or by calling us at 844-901-1312.