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The effects of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks go far beyond the events of that Tuesday morning. Nearly 17 years later, many victims are unaware that they have the right to file a claim for compensation for their injuries. In December of 2015, President Barack Obama signed a bill that reauthorized the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010. The bill also reauthorized the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. According to the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, victims who were in certain areas at certain times and have been diagnosed with certain illnesses are still eligible for compensation.
Claimants must have lived, worked, or otherwise spent time in the “New York City Exposure Zone” until May 30, 2002 to be eligible for compensation. This includes Manhattan south of Canal Street (from the Hudson River to East Broadway). Those who spent time removing debris in other areas may also be entitled to compensation.
Because it may take many years for certain illnesses, such as cancers, to develop after exposure to harmful chemicals and substances, the deadline to file a claim for injuries related to the terror attack has been extended. Claimants have until December 18, 2020 to file a claim.
Only certain conditions are eligible for compensation. This includes lymphoproliferative and hematopoietic cancers. These cancers include all types of leukemia and lymphoma. According to the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund website, eligible disorders include:
- Myeloid malignancies
- Lymphoid leukemia
- Monocytic leukemia
- Other leukemias of both specified and unspecified cell types
- Follicular (nodular) non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Other types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Multiple myeloma and malignant plasma cell neoplasms
- Diffuse non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Malignant immunoproliferative diseases
- Peripheral and cutaneous T-cell lymphomas
- Hodgkin’s disease
- Other unspecified malignant neoplasms of lymphoid, hematopoietic and related tissue
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with one of these disorders, you should seek legal counsel as soon as possible to discuss your eligibility for compensation.
If you are eligible for compensation, you may be entitled to a variety of damages, including:
- Medical expenses, including surgical expenses, prescription costs, physical therapy costs, and other related expenses
- Lost wages
- A loss of future earnings
- Loss of employment-related benefits
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
Other types of damages may also be available. The value of the claim varies significantly depending on the nature of the victim’s injuries. For example, a victim who has been diagnosed with several types of cancer may receive more compensation than someone who has been diagnosed with one type of cancer.
Do I really need an attorney to file a claim?
Though it is possible to proceed without the assistance of an attorney, claimants may unknowingly forfeit some of their legal rights if they do not have legal representation. For example, only certain types of documentation are acceptable in 9/11 claims. Additionally, you may have more than one disorder or disease that is eligible for benefits under the compensation fund. Many claimants have no idea that their injuries are compensable.
There are also several deadlines in place that limit how long 9/11 victims have to meet certain requirements in their compensation claims. With an attorney’s assistance, you will be able to focus on your health and wellbeing instead of attempting to navigate a complicated claim.
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