Category Archives: Victim Compensation Fund
Proving Non-economic Losses in a VCF Claim
For most VCF claimants, non-economic losses represent the bulk of their recovery. While out of pocket costs for medical treatment — as well as lost wages from total or partial disability — can be significant, intangible losses like pain, disfigurement and the inability to fully enjoy life’s pleasures remain a major factor. Unfortunately, proving the […]
How the DOMA Supreme Court Ruling Helps Spouses of 9/11 Victims
The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) prohibited the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages. As a result, same-sex partners who were legally married in their home state were nonetheless denied federal benefits. In 2002, Kenneth R. Feinberg, the special master of the initial September 11 Victims Compensation Fund (VCF), announced that gay and lesbian domestic […]
Issues Affecting Your VCF Award
Once you receive your Victims Compensation Fund (VCF) decision letter, you should expect to receive your first payment within 30 days. The VCF is authorized to pay 10 percent of your total loss in the first installment. The VCF will send you the remainder of your payment sometime between 2016 and 2017. Prior to receiving […]
9/11-Related Compensation Programs
You may have several options to obtain treatment for your 9/11-related injuries or compensation for the death of your loved one under three primary benefits programs: Victims Compensation Fund (VCF) World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program New York State Workers’ Compensation These separate programs have their own requirements, procedures and deadlines. You may be enrolled […]
Latest VCF Program Statistics Show Significant Progress
While arguably slow to start, the VCF claims evaluation and compensation process has accelerated as administrators solidify their procedures and work out problems. The latest program data, released on July 3, 2014, shows impressive increases across all facets of the VCF claim process. As of June 30, 2014, the VCF program has achieved the following […]
New Important Deadline Approaches for VCF Candidates
Deadlines are of critical importance for anyone who potentially has a Victims Compensation Fund claim. However, as each important deadline passes, a new one seems to appear on the horizon. This has caused many people to rush or panic unnecessarily, or worse, to erroneously believe they have lost the opportunity to pursue compensation. However, the […]
Illness Catches Up with Downtown Workers Caught in 9/11 Cloud
The terrorist attacks on New York City in September 2001 caught the city, and the world, by surprise. More than a decade later, illnesses suffered by downtown workers continue to take a toll. During the attacks on September 11, many groups of people suffered devastating injury. For those living and working in New York City, […]
State Appeals Court Clears Way for Compensation for 9/11 Volunteers
In June, a state court of appeals overturned a decision by the Workers’ Compensation Board that denied injury compensation to certain 9/11 volunteer workers. In September 2001, Jaime Hazan, now 43, was an emergency medical technician. After the terrorist attacks on September 11, Mr. Hazan volunteered at a triage area at Chelsea Piers. The following […]
Taking the Next Step after Filing Your VCF Registration
As of March 31, 2014, the Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) received 53,804 claimant registrations and 6,649 interim registrations. Yet only 13,863 eligibility packets have been submitted. This means that more than three out of every four registrants has not yet completed the necessary steps to have his or her eligibility evaluated by the VCF. With […]
Types of Documents to Keep if You Registered for the VCF
If you have registered for participation in the Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) but have not yet submitted your eligibility and compensation packets, you can avoid a great deal of frustration in the future by being careful what paperwork you throw away now. Completed VCF applications require a great deal of supporting documentary evidence, some of […]
