9/11 Victim Compensation Fund Frequently Asked Questions
What Claims May I Make Under the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund?
If the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund (911 VCF) finds that you are eligible, you may make the following claims to the VCF:
- A noneconomic claim (pain and suffering)
- An economic claim (covering the loss of future and past earnings, loss of retirement benefits, replacement services, and unreimbursed medical expenses.)
What is the New York City Exposure Zone, and how do I prove I was there?
The New York City Exposure Zone is the area of New York covered by the Victim Compensation Fund. You can view a map of the zone here. VCF claimants must prove that they were in the area near Ground Zero to make a claim. Please contact us online or at 800-962-9954.
What do I need to do to make a VCF claim?
The VCF has a set of minimum requirements to make a claim. Please review our VCF Claim Requirements page for more information or give us a call, and we will help you gather the necessary documentation for your claim.
Is a VCF claim a lawsuit?
No it is not. You are not a plaintiff. There are no defendants. The VCF is a federal program created to compensate those who have suffered physical injuries due to toxic exposure from the World Trade Center attacks.
What if I don’t want to sue my employer or have my employer know I made a VCF claim?
The VCF claim is not a lawsuit, nor is it a workers’ compensation claim. Your employer will not be a defendant. At most, you may ask your employer for documentary evidence of your presence at the World Trade Center site or in the New York City Exposure Zone. This is optional. Unless you tell your employer, the employer need not know that you filed a VCF claim.
Will there be public records disclosing I am a VCF claimant?
No. The names and injuries of VCF claimants are not discoverable on the Internet or via any public database with the exception of those who pursue wrongful death claims.
Is there a fee for your firm’s services?
Our fee is 10 percent after costs.
Does the VCF cover post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health issues?
At present, the VCF does not compensate non-physical injuries such as psychological injuries, PTSD, depression, or anxiety. However, the WTC Health Program offers treatment free of charge.
Will I be in Group A or Group B?
VCF claimants who did not already receive an award determination on or before December 17, 2015 are in Group B.
If you lived or worked in Manhattan below Canal Street between September 11, 2001 and May 31, 2002, and are suffering from a cancer or respiratory illness, you may be entitled to compensation from the VCF.
Please call us for a free consultation at (212) 732-9000 or
email us at SPBMC-NY@TrialLaw1.com