A former videographer for CNN and 9/11 cancer victim has died from his cancer, which was related to exposure to hazardous materials at Ground Zero while covering the September 11th attacks.

Michael Gittelman made his living as a videographer and was present at Ground Zero on the day of the horrific attacks, as well as the following weeks as the community—and the country—worked to recover in the immediate aftermath.

Unfortunately, Michael developed an ultimately fatal form of cancer associated with the hazardous materials present at Ground Zero.

“9/11 has claimed another victim,” tweeted CNN journalist Steven Kastenbaum. “Rest in peace former @CNN cameraman Michael Gittelman …We will miss Mike greatly.”

“A beloved member of the i24NEWS family, Michael Gittelman, sadly passed away yesterday,” tweeted i24NEWS English. “He was a top notch photojournalist who will be greatly missed by every news team graced to have worked with him.”

9/11 Cancer Starts to Take Its Toll

Even after the attacks took the lives of nearly 3,000 victims, the aftermath is still being felt nearly two decades later. Many of those who were at Ground Zero—first responders, victims, locals, members of the media, and more—are now being diagnosed with cancers related to exposure to hazardous materials found at Ground Zero.

According to the World Trade Center Health Program, approximately 14,000 people who were exposed to dangerous materials after the Twin Towers collapsed on September 11th have so far developed cancers related to this exposure.

The most common cancers related to Ground Zero exposure include non-melanoma skin cancer, prostate cancer, melanoma of the skin cancer, and breast cancer.

The Victim Compensation Fund

The 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund is meant to help compensate any 9/11 cancer victim or the family members of those who lost their lives. Compensation from the fund may amount to payouts of hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars.

CNN reports that as of summer 2018, more than $4.1 billion in compensation had already been distributed to victims and their families. The fund is currently set to stay in operation until 2020.

Filing a 9/11 Cancer Lawsuit

If you were one of the many first responders, victims, and others exposed to dangerous toxins at Ground Zero and have since developed one of more than 70 types of cancer, you may be eligible for compensation from the Victim Compensation Fund. An eligible 9/11 cancer victim would have been diagnosed with cancer after exposure at Ground Zero sometime between September 11, 2001 and May 31, 2002.

Paperwork and deadlines for the fund can be complicated, so consulting an experienced attorney can help. Compensation from the fund cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by 9/11 cancer, nor can it bring a loved one back to life, but it can at least help to alleviate the financial burden incurred by lost earnings, medical expenses, wrongful death, and more.