Maggie Evans If you were a 9/11 responder or survivor and have a health problem related to the pollutants in the dust cloud, then you should prioritize practicing self-care. However, another thing you may do to aid in your recovery is to seek compensation from the 9/11 victim compensation fund.
However, navigating the VCF’s standards and guidelines can be difficult, and any mistakes with your claim could cause delay or denial. With so much on the line, having a knowledgeable 9/11 VCF attorney on your side is crucial to ensure you get the financial recovery you are entitled to. If you think you are eligible to claim the 9/11 VCF, you can learn more here.
Before we get into the importance of lawyers while filing for 9/11 VCF, you should know what exactly it is and the eligibility criteria for the same.
What is 9/11 VCF-
The whole of the 9/11 VCF begins with the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act that Congress passed less than two weeks after the terrorist attacks of September 11. The Act gave the airline sector compensation for the monetary losses it sustained as a result of the terrorist attacks and served to keep it from going bankrupt.
A special clause in the Act also made it possible for responders, survivors, and families of the deceased to be compensated for physical harm brought on by terrorist-related airline accidents. The person consented to give up their right to sue the airlines by submitting a claim with the VCF.
The September 11 Victim Compensation Fund (“VCF”) was established to offer compensation to any individual (or the personal representative of a deceased person) who sustained bodily injury or death as a result of the terrorist-related aircraft crashes on September 11, 2001. The fund also extends to those involved in the efforts to remove debris in the moments following those crashes. The first VCF ran from 2001 to 2004.
Eligibility criteria for the 9/11 VCF-
The VCF gives monetary restitution to other qualified 9/11 survivors for their non-economic and economic damages and losses, in addition to giving 9/11 responders compensation for their malignancies, ailments, and health issues related to the terrorist attacks. Survivors who resided, worked, attended school, or were present near Ground Zero or in the region south of Canal Street in the immediate wake of September 11, 2001, are eligible for VCF compensation.
If you are a 9/11 survivor, you must specifically fulfill the following VCF eligibility requirements:
- Possess a physical health issue from 9/11 that the WTC Health Program has certified.
- Prove that you were present in the NYC Exposure Zone between September 11, 2001, and May 30, 2002.
- By the deadline that relates to your particular situation, register with the VCF.
- By the deadline of October 1, 2090, submit a claim.
- Reject or resolve any legal actions arising from 9/11.
Some survivors might have received grants from the first VCF, which ran from 2001 to 2004. You might be entitled to compensation for your additional losses if the disease for which you were granted compensation deteriorated or if you contracted a new sickness. It is essential to realize that the eligibility standards for the VCF are different from those for the WTC Health Program. Nevertheless, survivors must enroll in the Program and gain certification for their condition before being granted an award from the VCF.
Importance of a lawyer while filing for 9/11 VCF-
You should hire a lawyer because the law is not easily comprehended.
In some situations, it’s probably not appropriate for someone who isn’t a lawyer to act like one. Even seasoned attorneys rarely speak for themselves in court. Additionally, lawyers have complete knowledge of the 9/11 VCF and thus can save you from any hassle. Without the assistance of a knowledgeable and dispassionate lawyer, a strong case can swiftly fall apart.
You should hire a lawyer because filing the wrong document or following the wrong procedure could decrease your chance of getting the claim.
If you’re not an attorney, you can find it difficult to follow the deadlines and procedures for correctly completing and filing several legal paperwork pertaining to the 9/11 VCF. A single late or inaccurate submission could jeopardize your case, prolong a specific legal process, or, even worse, result in the case being dismissed entirely (and not in your favor).
Conclusion
In other words, many 9/11 survivors and first responders decide to hire a 9/11 lawyer because negotiating the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) and the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) can be challenging.
