Survivors from the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 are seeking 9/11 cancer compensation, after allegedly developing the deadly disease soon after the attack.

The 9/11 cancer compensation is available as part of a fund set up to benefit any person or representative of a deceased victim who was physically harmed due to exposure of the deadly toxins released into the air from the debris as a result of the deadly attacks on the World Trade Center.

Two major victim’s benefit programs have been set up: the Sept. 11 Victim Compensation Fund and the World Trade Center Health Program, designed to provide healthcare coverage to victims and families who sustained damages from the terrorist attacks.

Depending on the severity of the claim, 9/11 cancer compensation can range between hundreds to millions of dollars and may include long term medical care.

The federal government established the compensation fund to help victims who sustained physical injury and sickness, due to toxic substances released at the World Trade Center Ground Zero site. This help is tax free and is meant to help survivors including:

• First responders
• Firefighters, police officers and EMTs
• Sanitation employees
• Construction employees
• City employees
• Utility employees
• Cleaners
• 9/11 volunteers
• Out of state volunteers
• Employees who worked below Canal Street
• Residents living below Canal Street
• Students enrolled below Canal Street

The fund is supposed to provide financial support for victims suffering from physical harm, loss of earnings, along with past and future medical compensation. People who have lost loved ones from cance, may also be eligible to seek 9/11 cancer compensation.

A total of $7.3 billion has been dedicated to the fund, which was originally established by the federal government in 2004 to help victims suffering from chronic illnesses due to numerous victims being exposed to deadly toxins from fallen debris.

After the fund was discontinued for a few years, the compensation fund was reestablished on Jan. 2, 2011, for which President Obama signed a 2015 bill to ensure that it will continue to be funded until 2020.

Overview of 9/11 Cancer Compensation

Approximately 2,753 people died in in lower Manhattan on Sept. 11, 2001. Following this day, the number of people exposed to toxic substances during the eight month clean up period is estimated to be over one million.

The toxic substances include but are not limited to aluminum, asbestos, glass, and burned jet fuel, each of which has been linked to the numerous cases of cancers related to the attacks. At this point, over 70 different cancers have been identified as potentially qualifying for 9/11 cancer compensation, including:

• Lung cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Breast cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Bladder cancer
• Non-melanoma skin cancer
• Melanoma
• Thyroid cancer
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Multiple myeloma
• Leukemia
• Mesothelioma
• Head, neck, nasal, mouth cancer
• Colon cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Stomach cancer
• Esophagus cancer
• Bone cancer
• Liver cancer
• Brain cancer
• Sarcoma
• Neuropathy related to cancer treatment

It is important to note that there are strict deadlines for 9/11 cancer compensation, so victims should file as soon as possible. People who were near or present at Ground Zero between Sept. 11, 2001 and May 31, 2002 and were diagnosed with cancer four years or more after exposure, may be eligible.