If you were exposed to the toxic environment of Lower Manhattan after 9/11, contact The Dearie Law Firm, P.C. to discuss the merits of a Victim Compensation Fund claim.

1. 9/11 Victim Compensation
Fund

2. 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund
September 11, 2001 was among the most horrific and tragic days in
our nation’s history. But amidst the appalling events that we all
watched on TV, thousands of brave and selfless American heroes
responded to Lower Manhattan. They were police officers,
firefighters, EMTs, National Guardsmen, volunteers, construction
workers, electrical workers, iron workers, plumbers, doctors, and
more. Their tireless work in the days, months and years after 9/11
helped a City and a Country re-build, stronger than before, after the
most destructive attack on American soil in history.

3. Reauthorization of the James Zadroga 9/11
Health and Compensation Act of 2010
On December 18, 2015, President Obama signed into
law a bill reauthorizing the James Zadroga 9/11 Health
and Compensation Act of 2010. This includes the
reauthorization of the September 11th Victim
Compensation Fund (“VCF”).
Pursuant to the Reauthorized Bill, all claims that
received award offers before December 18, 2015 are
considered “Group A claims”. All pending claims that did
not receive an award offer as of December 18, 2015 are
considered “Group B claims”.

4. Covered Conditions
nterstitial lung disease
Chronic Respiratory Disorder – Fumes / Vapors
Asthma
Reactive Airways Dysfunction Syndrome (RADS)
WTC-exacerbated Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Chronic cough syndrome
Upper airway hyper-reactivity
Chronic rhinosinusitis
Chronic nasopharyngitis
Chronic laryngitis
Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disorder (GERD)
Sleep apnea exacerbated by or related to other Covered Conditions
Low back pain
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
Certain other musculoskeletal disorders
Traumatic injuries

5. Cancers
The Zadroga Act did not initially include cancers on their list of
Covered Conditions. However, on June 8, 2012, the National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) proposed
a new rule to add certain types of cancer to the list of Covered
Conditions. This new rule took effect on October 12, 2012.

6. Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act
we owe these people the care and attention they need to live
with and, hopefully, overcome their 9/11-related ailments. The
James L. Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act is a U.S.
federal law providing medical benefits and financial
compensation to those injured as a result of exposure to the
post-9/11 toxic environment.

7. The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and
Compensation Act
The James L. Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act,
often called the “Zadroga Bill”, was signed into law by
President Obama in early 2011 and was later reauthorized by
Congress in 2015. The Zadroga Bill created two important
programs: 1) the World Trade Center Health Program
(“WTCHP”), which provides health monitoring and treatment
services for people affected by 9/11-related medical issues;
and 2) the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund
(“VCF”), which pays financial awards to those who have
physical injuries and have died due to exposure-related
conditions.

8. Thanks to the Zadroga Bill, the WTC
Health Program and the 9/11 Victim
Compensation Fund, first responders,
volunteers, residents, students, and office
workers, are entitled to free medical care
and financial compensation, for the
medical conditions caused by their Lower
Manhattan exposure after 9/11.

9. How 9/11 Victim Compensation Funds Awards
Are Calculated
In 2010, the United States Congress passed the James
Zadroga Health and Compensation Act, often called the
Zadroga Bill, which created the September 11th Victim
Compensation Fund (VCF) and the World Trade Center Health
Program (WTCHP).
The VCF, a federal fund, offers financial awards to those who
have been diagnosed with cancers and non-cancer conditions
as a result of the dust and debris from the fallen World Trade
Center Twin Towers or from the presence of toxic materials at
the Pentagon or Shanksville, Pennsylvania crash sites. The
WTCHP, administered by NIOSH, provides free health care for
the medical conditions related to exposure after 9/11.

10. Injury Statistics and Studies for First
Responders
A significant study was published in 2010 by the chief medical
officer for the Office of Medical Affairs at New York City’s Fire
Department. This study involved 5,000 rescue workers and found
that all had an average of 10 percent impairment in their lung
function, with little to no improvement over 6 years.2

11. VCF Claims Process
VCF claim requires completion of the claim form application,
as well as the submission of numerous supporting documents
and records. If the application is completed incorrectly, or any
of the required supporting documentation is missing, the
claim will be marked as Inactive and review will not continue
until the missing information is provided.

12. Get Help from Our Specialized NY Personal
Injury Lawyers
The Dearie Law Firm, P.C. has represented
hundreds of claimants to the VCF since its
creation in 2011, including first responders,
office workers, residents, and volunteers.
Our experience with quickly moving cases
through the VCF process is second to none.
Our clients receive the highest possible
awards for their VCF claims, and so can you.
Call our 24-hour toll-free line at 1-800-2-
DEARIE (1-800-233-2743), or visit our
Manhattan or Bronx locations to learn more.

13. Thank
you