WTC lung disease victims and others who developed diseases as a result of toxic exposure on 9/11 have less than two years to apply for compensation – unless Congress chooses to extend the Dec. 20, 2020 deadline.

Congress established the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund as part of the Air Transportation and System Stabilization Act in the wake of the collapse of the World Trade Center in 2001.

In exchange for compensation, WTC lung disease victims and others agree not to file lawsuits against the airlines that were involved.

Currently, one attorney representing clients who suffer from WTC lung disease is involved in efforts to pass a new law that would make the Fund permanent – but is still encouraging eligible claimants to file for compensation before the current deadline.

What Constitutes WTC Lung Disease?

One volunteer who joined relief efforts two days after the Twin Towers fell now suffers from lung cancer. However, it was not until almost 15 years later that he was diagnosed with a WTC lung disease.

Ironically, he says he had been wearing a respirator when he went to work at the disaster site. However, the filter turned out to be completely inadequate for the job, clogging up within 10 minutes – a measure of just how thick the airborne toxins were at the time.

There are more than 70 types of cancer that are considered to be related to 9/11, as well as WTC lung diseases such as COPD, emphysema, asbestosis and asbestos cancer. There was, in fact, hundreds of tons of asbestos contained within the Twin Towers that had not been removed nor encapsulated at the time. Asbestos diseases typically take years, or even decades before they begin to present symptoms.

What Other Diseases Qualify?

Although prevalent, asbestos was not the only toxin in the air during the weeks following 9/11. Other airborne toxins and carcinogens from that event include:

• aluminum
• concrete dust
• dioxins
• ground glass
• jet fuel residue and exhaust
• lead
• mercury

Most types of cancer qualify for the fund provided they were diagnosed no less than four years following exposure. An exception is made for leukemia and cancers of the bone; these diagnoses may have been made as little as one year after the event.

Are There Other Conditions?

Whether suffering from WTC lung disease or another health condition due to toxic exposure, those who are eligible to participate in the 9/11 Victims’ Compensation Fund include:

• first responders (police, firefighters, EMTs)
• city workers (sanitation, utility, construction)
• anyone who resided, was employed, or attended school below Canal Street.

According to an article in the Guardian, approximately 43,000 persons to date have been diagnosed and certified with WTC lung disease or other 9/11-related health issues. There is legislation under consideration in the U.S. Senate that would permanently authorize the September 11^th Victim Compensation Fund. However, as things currently stand, the final deadline to apply is Dec. 18, 2020.