If you’ve worked, volunteered, went to school, or lived in downtown Manhattan in the several months after September 11th, you may be eligible for free medical benefits as well as compensation. And this does not just apply to you, but a departed loved one for the latter.
Now you might be asking yourself the groups that are specifically covered. These include 9/11 volunteers, firefighters, construction workers, WTC responders, downtown Manhattan teachers, EMT, sanitation workers, police officers, downtown Manhattan students, and downtown Manhattan workers.
No matter where you presently live in the USA, what matters is where you were on 9/11 and the following months. And this will determine whether you will get compensation.
If, however, you are uncertain of your eligibility, you need to hire the services of an experienced Zadroga Act lawyer such as those from Weisfuse & Weisfuse LLP. These professionals will pursue all the channels required to ensure that you get compensated. They will review your legal options to see if you deserve any benefits.
That said, what is the 9/11 victim compensation fund?
Source: wshu.org
The Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act was passed in 2010 to provide compensation and medical aid for people suffering from 9/11-related complications. The attacks on September 11th on the World Trade Center had many victims suffer due to toxic exposure. And the first death was directly linked to the dust exposure during the rescue operations following these attacks. The victim succumbed to pulmonary fibrosis in the year 2006.
Initially funded for five years, a second James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act was passed in 2015 and renewed in 2019. The act includes two different programs, the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP), which offers care to 9/11 victims such as survivors and responders who worked, lived and studied in the environs of Manhattan on or in the months following September 11th, 2001.
The second program, the Zadroga Act, is the September 11th Victim Compensation. It is operated by the U.S Department of justice and offers financial compensation for all 9/11 related complications.
The compensation entails both economic and uneconomic losses and any survivor perks for deceased claims. If you’re suffering from 9/11-related illnesses, you may be eligible for compensation through the VCF.
However, before making a claim, you need to enroll with the WTCHP. And you should do this as soon as possible. Once successful with the registration, you can then claim compensation at any time. As mentioned above, an experienced Zadroga Act Lawyer will help you get the care and compensation you rightfully deserve.
Contacting them is effortless since all you have to do is reach out to them for a confidential and free consultation.
Other benefits of hiring an experienced Zadroga Act lawyer include:
Source: lawyerherald.com
1. They help to gather all the needed medical records
An experienced Zadroga Act lawyer will help to gather all the medical records needed to help with your case. They will guide you on how to approach a physician and the documents you need. And show you the ideal WTC Health Program ideal for you or your loved one.
Whether your loved one is deceased or is looking after your won claim, these professionals will hold your hand every step of the way.
2. Compile all the required statements and records to prove your presence in the 9/11 catastrophe
Professional Zadroga Act lawyers such as those from Weisfuse & Weisfuse LLP will help to compile all the statements and records needed as evidence to prove your presence as a 9/11 volunteer, firefighter, construction worker, WTC responder, downtown Manhattan teacher, EMT, sanitation worker, police officer, downtown Manhattan student, and downtown Manhattan worker in the downtown Manhattan during the attack and its aftermath.
They also help you gather all the required documents, including tax records, personal roasters, school records, etc., to verify that you need compensation. Since VCF accepts affidavits, they help you with this and ensure that they all comply with federal law.
Besides, they help to amend your claim for any additional compensation, file all the necessary legal documents, represent your claim in case there’s a need for a formal hearing, help you obtain pension records, file appeals, and so on.
What is needed to file a Zadroga Act Claim?
Source: westsoundworkforce.com
If you’re wondering if you qualify for the Zadroga Act (VCF) claim, you may be eligible if you were present in the New York City Exposure from September 11th, 2001 to May 30th, 2002, if you sustained any injuries.
To see all the zones covered, you need to view a detailed map to see if you qualify.
To show proof of presence to receive compensation, you need to show that you were physically present in the exposure zone when it happened or in the following months. You may use proof terms of utility bills, pay stubs, school or daycare records, witness statements, mortgage bills, leases, or medical reports that occurred during that time.
For the medical condition requirements, the WTCHP only covers to a certain degree, those linked with the 9/11 exposure. Even though you do not need to prove a direct link between your health complications and 9/11, the WTCHP will assess the cause of your condition, evaluating its duration, date of diagnosis, nature of your work, activities, and first symptoms.
Some of the conditions covered include: cancers such as colon, kidney, prostate, pancreatic, head, lymphoma, neck, breast, thyroid, pancreatic, and many others, musculoskeletal disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome and back pain, mesothelioma, traumatic brain injuries, aerodigestive disorders such as lung disease, sleep apnea, GERD and asthma and so on.
You might be wondering what exactly you will be compensated for if you qualify. If you’re successful in a VCF claim following a VCF claim, you may get compensated for: pain and suffering you encountered after the ordeal, all your past and current lost income, survivor benefits, household services, and out-of-pocket medical expenses.
Final thoughts
As much as the entire process may look easy to undertake, you need to hire the services of an expert Zadroga Act lawyer. Remember, handling this by yourself could result in reduced benefits, unnecessary delays, and unsuccessful claims.
With an experienced professional, you will get the maximum compensation you deserve, get the best representation and have someone submit all the necessary documents needed for a smooth claim.
