Author Archives: Michael Barasch
Second Annual Victim Compensation Fund Released: Future Focus
When the office of the Special Master of the Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) for those injured in the 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States issued its second annual report, it released information on its activities, the state of claims and its aims for the future. If you have a claim in the system, the […]
Second Annual Victim Compensation Fund Released: Statistics
The second annual Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) report discusses outreach efforts made by the office of the Special Master and also provides revealing information on injury and claim statistics. The report on the status and aims of the VCF details information about the structure intended to provide relief for victims of the September 2001 terrorist […]
Second Annual Victim Compensation Fund Released: Key Points
In November, the Special Master for the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) released a second annual report concerning activities undertaken in the last year to pursue the mandate of the VCF. From 2011 through 2012, the actions of the Special Master focused on restarting the VCF after President Obama signed the James Zadroga 9/11 […]
What is the WTC Health Program?
The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 has provided compensation to many 9/11 victims and their families, but the act has broader implications. The World Trade Center Health Program is another important aspect of the law, and it has even wider coverage than the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. In fact, even […]
What Types of Illnesses Does the VCF Cover?
The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund is designed to provide compensation to those who suffered injuries or illnesses as a result of the 9/11 terror attacks. But not all injuries are compensable. In fact, the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 provides a detailed list of conditions that qualify for VCF compensation. […]
9/11 Victim Compensation Fund Statistics
As part of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund program, Sheila Bimbaum, the special master appointed to administer the fund, releases an annual report of fund activities and statistics. The most recent report was released in November 2013. It provided claims and processing statistics, a breakdown of VCF staffing and procedures and a description of […]
9/11-Related Lawsuits Against Terrorists
Filing a 9/11-related lawsuit against a terrorist organization may seem like a vain effort. But such litigation may in fact be an important part of our national healing process. Since those tragic events more than 12 years ago, several civil lawsuits have been initiated against terrorist organizations as well as banks suspected of providing funding […]
Beware of 9/11 Early Payment Programs
As many claimants continue to await payments from the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, some ailing first responders and other victims are becoming increasingly desperate because they need the payments for their medical bills and living expenses. Some companies have responded to this need by offering to float advance payment of VCF benefits to victims […]
The VCF Appeals Process
To improve the claims process, the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund has increased its staff to 75, from 31 a year earlier. The biggest increases are in the number of document intake workers (now 25, up from nine a year earlier) and claim review team members (now 23, up from nine a year earlier), according […]
How Other Benefits Can Offset VCF Payments
The funds that Congress set aside for the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund are finite, and the number of claimants increases every day. To ensure fairness and stretch the funds as far as possible, the VCF has adopted the policy that certain collateral benefits should offset the amount of benefits a claimant receives from the […]
