Joanna Szabo  |  December 23, 2021

Category: Legal News

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9/11 survivors may qualify for medical benefits.

The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, claimed the lives of 2,753 people in New York City; 184 at the Pentagon; and 40 in Shanksville, Pa. Unfortunately, this represents just a fraction of the damage done to victims of the terrorist attacks.

9/11 Survivors Health Problems

During the attacks, toxic fumes were released into the air and breathed by an estimated 400,000 people who face, or may face illnesses, and other health problems.

More than 52,000 people have developed 9/11-related illnesses, and 2,000 people have died, according to CBS News. This number is only expected to rise, particularly in the case of cancer, a major health risk to 9/11 survivors because the disease often takes years to develop.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has identified more than 70 cancers and dozens of respiratory illnesses, including asthma, linked to exposure to toxins during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. 

Approximately 8% of first responders who assisted with rescue, recovery, or clean up at these sites reported experiencing asthma attacks — double the percentage of the population who suffer from asthma. In addition to asthma attacks, many who were exposed to the dust have reported gastroesophageal problems or a persistent cough related to the inhalation of large toxic particles. Although the respiratory system is generally able to filter out toxic particles in the air, the size and amount of those released in the dust cloud would have overwhelmed the respiratory system’s capacity to do so. According to Paul Lioy, director of exposure science at Rutgers University, “the particle sizes are not what we normally see in the air every day — these were very large, extremely large. We didn’t even have a definition for the size.”

Initially, New York City said the air was safe to breathe, despite toxic particles and fumes clouding the air. Buildings continued to burn for days after the attacks, adding more toxins to those produced during the attacks.

Because the air had been declared safe, however, thousands of New Yorkers returned to work and school. They may have unknowingly been exposed to dangerous chemicals that could have long term effects on their health.

According to an analysis of the dust clouds created and released during the attacks, the levels of air pollution near the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pa. following the attacks may have been extremely dangerous. In addition to containing cancer-causing substances such as asbestos, the dust was also found to contain cement particles, gypsum, glass fibers, calcium carbonate, lead, and other toxins. The pH of the dust was high in alkaline. This means that when the dust was inhaled, it may have caused similar damage to other caustic materials such as lye or drain cleaning products. While many of the substances contained in the dust are known, the gases that were released during the attacks dissipated quickly, making it difficult to determine the extent of the substances that survivors may have been exposed to.

What Is the 9/11 Survivor Fund?

The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund was set up to provide compensation to 9/11 survivors and the family members of those who lost their lives during or after the attacks.

The fund covers people who were present at the World Trade Center and the surrounding areas, the crash site at the Pentagon, and the crash site in Shanksville, Penn. between Sept. 11, 2001, and May 30, 2002, and who have since developed illnesses related to the attacks.

The World Trade Center Health Program reports that more than 20,000 people who were at Ground Zero and exposed to dangerous toxins (including first responders) have since been diagnosed with cancer related to this exposure, and more than 1,500 have died as a result. More diagnoses are expected in the coming years.

Eligible 9/11 survivors include students, residents, workers, first responders, and others. This extension was reportedly implemented in part because the number of people who contracted 9/11-related illnesses has risen in recent years. This reportedly demonstrated both the damaging impact of the attacks themselves and highlighted the need to offer support to 9/11 survivors.

The extension came not a moment too soon. The fund has been extended several times and had previously been set to end in December. By that point, however, compensation from the fund would have been drastically cut, and victims would not receive nearly the payout that they would have earlier on. The extension until 2090 has also come with a revitalization of the fund’s finances, which will allow award reductions to end and even restore awards that had been previously reduced.

How Do 9/11 Survivors Receive Access to Free Medical Care?

In addition to compensation for injuries, the federal government has a program to help 9/11 survivors pay for medical care. More than 400,000 people are estimated to be eligible for some benefits through the World Trade Center Health Program. However, only about 100,000 people have signed up for benefits. This is partly because many of those eligible are not aware of the program. 

It provides exams and health monitoring to healthy individuals, and full medical benefits, in the form of free medical care, to those grappling with a 9/11-related illness. Eligibility for compensation includes a broad range of health problems: cancer, mental health conditions, musculoskeletal disorders, acute traumatic injury, and aerodigestive disorders.

CBS notes that experts advise 9/11 survivors to sign up for the program even if they are healthy now. The annual screening available to people who are not currently sick may help identify health problems early on and ensure eligibility for free medical care should they become ill.  

Additionally, experts stress the importance of collecting documentation to prove an individual was present at Ground Zero, the Pentagon, or Shanksville during the eligible time frames in the event they need care for an illness that develops later. This is particularly true for those whose conditions may not develop for many years, long after any witnesses who could testify that a person was present at Ground Zero have passed away.

9/11 survivors may qualify for help.

Victims will have to provide documentation to show that their illnesses were likely related to exposure to 9/11 toxins. In order for a person who was present at Ground Zero to receive benefits if they develop a condition that’s eligible for compensation, they must be able to show that the injuries are connected to the terrorist attacks and not the result of an unrelated workplace exposure.

If you are a victim of 9/11 cancer, then you deserve compensation. Figuring out the paperwork for the fund can be complicated — especially when gathering evidence to support your claim. Consulting an experienced attorney can help.

Of course, compensation from the fund cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by a cancer diagnosis, nor can it bring a loved one back to life, but it can at least help to alleviate the burden incurred by medical expenses, lost wages, wrongful death, and more. Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork by connecting you with an experienced attorney.

Navigating the complex and burdensome paperwork and strict deadlines to participate in the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund can be difficult. An experienced 9/11 Victim Fund attorney can help and ensure you get the maximum compensation available.

If you were present near Ground Zero, generally considered to be Lower Manhattan below Canal Street, between Sept. 11, 2001, and May 31, 2002, and were diagnosed with cancer four years or more after exposure (or one year or more for blood and bone cancers), you may qualify for compensation.

Submit your information now for a free, no-obligation review of your potential 9/11 cancer fund claim.

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If you qualify, a September 11th Victim Compensation Fund attorney will contact you to discuss the details of your potential claim at no charge to you.

PLEASE NOTE: If you want to participate in this investigation, it is imperative that you reply to the law firm if they call or email you. Failing to do so may result in you not getting signed up as a client or getting you dropped as a client.

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