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 to the VCF special master’s most recent report.
Despite these additional resources, the VCF may mistakenly deny or underpay some legitimate claims. If you believe this has happened to you, you and your attorney can appeal directly to the special master. An appeal can be completed strictly on paper, but you have the right to an in-person hearing before the special master or a hearing officer designated by her.
Hearings are nonadversarial. Only you, your attorney and the hearing officer participate, and there is no opposing attorney arguing against you. Hearings provide claimants the opportunity to present additional documentary evidence and their own testimony as well as supporting testimony from lay and expert witnesses. If you receive a denial from the VCF or if you believe you should receive a higher payment, a Zadroga Act attorney can help you appeal.
January 13, 2014 Posted in Uncategorized Tagged appeal, evidence 2 Comments
resident, prostate cancer survivor. Can I appeal the October 21, 2015 registration deadline?
Hi Mr Whitmore- the deadline for prostate cancers diagnosed prior to October, 2012 was October, 2014. Thereafter, you must register within 2 years of the date of your diagnosis. Please call me if you are within those dates and need my help on appeal. Otherwise, please bear in mind that you’ll still be able to make a claim, God forbid you are diagnosed with a new cancer. However, you must assert the claim within 2 years of the date of diagnosis. Michael Barasch, Esq. 212-385-8000