Seventeen years after the horrific terrorist attacks in New York City, Governor Andrew Cuomo has called for an expansion of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund to ensure that victims and their families are taken care of for any injuries.

The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund

The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund was created in the aftermath of a day that will live in American memory for years to come.

At first, the fund was intended to compensate those who were injured or killed in the attacks themselves and in the immediate aftermath during the daring and dangerous rescues at Ground Zero. Thousands of people were killed and thousands more were injured in these attacks.

Even though a full 17 years have now gone by, more and more first responders and victims are now suffering from severe health problems connected with their exposure at Ground Zero, including dozens of types of cancer.

Because of this, the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund was reopened in 2011 to deal with some of the serious health problems that have surfaced in the years following the attacks. But there is now some concern that the money in the fund may run out before all those eligible have been properly compensated, and the fund is currently set to expire in December 2020.

Governor Cuomo’s office noted that it has seen a rise in the number of people applying for funds, as more and more are diagnosed with cancer. Many cancers have substantial latency periods.

“Some are suggesting that we dilute compensation to the next rounds of applications due to diminution of funding,” wrote Cuomo’s office. “That is exactly the wrong approach. All are equally heroes to the nation, and all should be equally and fully funded.”

Instead of shorting out future eligible victims, the governor suggested that the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund be renewed and expanded through Congress. “In New York, we will always stand with the victims of the attacks,” Cuomo said, “and I will work with the New York delegation to lead the effort in ensuring that everyone receives the fair and ample compensation they deserve.”

You may be eligible for compensation from the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund if you were diagnosed with cancer after living or working near Ground Zero between September 11, 2001 and May 31, 2002.

September 11th Cancer Risk

The September 11th attacks were terrible and deadly, but the long lasting danger at Ground Zero only became clear in the years that followed. After the buildings and planes came down, the air was filled with harmful materials and toxins capable of causing cancer, and those who worked or lived in the area may have been exposed to and injured by these substances.

Patients diagnosed with one of dozens of different cancers in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks may be eligible for compensation from the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. These cancers include lung cancer, prostate cancer, melanoma, leukemia, brain cancer and many others. A full list of these cancer types is available on our investigation page.

If you or someone you love was diagnosed with cancer in the years following exposure to Ground Zero in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks, you may be eligible for compensation from the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund.