Why You Need a Lawyer

How a skilled attorney can help with your Zadroga Act claim

The Zadroga Act does not require responders or survivors to hire a lawyer to submit claims for compensation from the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund or for medical care under the WTC Health Plan. But there are several reasons why consulting a lawyer may be to your advantage. At Barasch McGarry Salzman & Penson, our WTC lawyers can help you determine whether you are eligible prior to submitting your application. We can also guide you through the process of providing the correct documentation to expedite your eligibility determination — and help you get the benefits you deserve sooner.

Filing claims under the Zadroga Act

The Victim Compensation Fund does not grant claims without accompanying evidence. Claimants must provide documentary evidence of their presence at a 9/11 crash site during the period established in the Zadroga Act. Our experienced Zadroga Act lawyers understand what types of documentary evidence the Fund requires and can help you obtain and submit these documents to substantiate your claim.

In addition to evidence of presence, a claimant must also submit credible medical evidence that they suffered an injury or illness that was a direct result of their presence at a 9/11 crash site. For some types of injury or illness, the connection is presumed. But the list of presumptive illnesses is constantly changing. Our 9/11 lawyers maintain up-to-date knowledge of the conditions that are compensable under federal regulations.

The attorneys at Barasch McGarry Salzman & Penson can evaluate your illness to determine if it is presumptively covered and help you obtain the medical records to prove it exists. If your condition is not presumptively covered, we can work with medical professionals to obtain evidence of the causal connection between the 9/11 attacks and your injury. In accordance with federal law, our fee is limited to 10 percent of your recovery. But we nevertheless strive to give each client the personal attention he or she deserves.

Barasch McGarry Salzman & Penson — helping set things right

At Barasch McGarry Salzman & Penson, we work with 9/11 victims and their families to help them gain the compensation they deserve. While we know that no amount of money could ever make up for your pain and losses, we hope that our efforts can help provide some measure of financial security and peace of mind to those who selflessly gave or innocently suffered following our national tragedy. Please contact us online or by phone at 347-619-0623 to determine eligibility for WTC compensation or to start the process of applying for James Zadroga Act benefits.