Victim Compensation Fund (“VCF”)
The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (“VCF”) was created to provide compensation for any individual (or a personal representative of a deceased individual) who suffered physical harm or was killed as a result of the terrorist-related aircraft crashes of September 11, 2001 or the debris removal efforts that took place in the immediate aftermath of those crashes. The original VCF operated from 2001-2004.
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Zadroga Act
On January 2, 2011, President Obama signed into law the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 (Zadroga Act). Title II of the Zadroga Act reactivated the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. The reactivated VCF opened in October 2011 and was authorized to operate for a period of five years, ending in October 2016.
On December 18, 2015, President Obama signed into law a bill reauthorizing the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010. This included the reauthorization of the VCF. The new law extends the VCF for five years, allowing individuals to submit their claims until December 18, 2020. The law also includes some important changes to the VCF’s policies and procedures for evaluating claims and calculating each claimant’s loss.
The VCF compensates claimants who spent a specific amount of time within the World Trade Center Exposure Zone from the dates of the tragic attacks on September 11th, 2001 until May 30th 2002. This can include those caught in the dust cloud as the towers collapsed, first responders and volunteers, those who frequented the area and residents who lived in down Manhattan, south of Canal Street, during that time.
The VCF is designed to compensate claimants for their pain and suffering linked to a number of medical conditions that the Centers for Disease Control has linked to exposure in the area. Several respiratory conditions and cancers are eligible for compensation. The VCF also compensates claimants for out of pocket medical expenses, the loss of earnings, replacement services and also provides compensation for the families of those who have died as a result of their WTC related conditions.
If you were in the WTC exposure zone during this time period and are suffering from respiratory conditions or cancer, no matter how severe, please call the offices of Marc J. Bern & Partners for a free and thorough consultation. You may be eligible for substantial compensation.