The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) revised its policy regarding registration deadlines last September. The Fund took this action because it recognized that 9/11 victims and individuals with certain applicable, physical conditions may not have been aware that those conditions stemmed from 9/11-related exposure.
The table on page 2 of the VCF’s Registration and Claim Filing Deadlines outlines the registration deadlines that apply based on individual circumstances. You must register by the applicable deadline in order for your claim to be considered timely. Once registered, you have preserved your right to file a claim with the VCF no later than December 18, 2020. Below is a more detailed explanation of what the policy means for Personal Injury claims. Please note that Personal Injury claims and Deceased claims have different registration deadlines.
Under the new policy, the two-year registration deadline for personal injury claims is triggered when a federal, state, or local government entity determines that a physical injury or condition was 9/11-related. A “government entity” may include the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program; a state workers’ compensation board; or a government employer such as the FDNY, NYPD, or NYCERS for purposes of awarding a disability pension.
Thus, for individuals being treated at the WTC Health Program who are filing personal injury claims, the starting date of the two-year registration period (the “Registration Start Date”) is based on the earlier of two dates:
(1) the date of the letter from the WTC Health Program indicating that the individual’s 9/11-related physical injury or condition has been certified for treatment, or
(2) the date on which another government entity determined that the physical injury or condition was 9/11-related.
For individuals not being treated through the WTC Health Program, the Registration Start Date is the earlier of:
(1) the date on which a government entity determined that the physical injury or condition was 9/11-related, or
(2) the date on which the individual’s physical injury or condition is verified through the VCF’s Private Physician process.
We encourage you to visit the VCF’s Frequently Asked Questions page for more information. There, under Section 2.5, you can find scenarios that may help you assess your situation.
Many 9/11 victims are still grappling with the physical effects of the terrorist attacks and the financial hardships incurred. The deadline for filing a VCF claim is December 18, 2020.
For more eligibility information regarding the VCF, or to discuss your 9/11-related injury or illness claims, reach out to Sullivan Papain Block McManus Coffinas & Cannavo at (800) 962-9954 and via our contact page.
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