Posted: September 6, 2018
This Tuesday marks 17 years since the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, as well as the related attack on the Pentagon and the plane crash in Pennsylvania. Nearly 3,000 people were killed that day. What some don't realize is that those attacks continue to claim lives through the cancers and other deadly illnesses caused by the toxic dust cloud.
Tragically, this 17th anniversary brings with it a grim fact. As of August, 2018, roughly 10,000 people are known to have 9/11-related cancers, according to the NY Post. Additionally, the Post reports more than a dozen men who were near Ground Zero have developed male breast cancer. The brave men and women who gave so much that day, and in the months following, deserve compensation and health care.
Jon Stewart and First Responders on the Today Show
As the anniversary of 9/11 approaches and as we learn of increasing cancer cases, comedian and former Daily Show host Jon Stewart appeared on the Today Show with two first responders who have championed the Zadroga Act and who were at Ground Zero that horrible day. Please watch the Today Show video below:
The looming Compensation Fund expiration date is one of the many important points addressed in the interview. Currently, unless Congress takes action, the Compensation Fund will accept claims only through December 18, 2020. You can expect a fight from the people championing this cause to extend the Victim Compensation Fund. But the outcome remains to be seen.
Attorney David Eisbrouch is passionate about recovering compensation for first responders and survivors. He takes great pride in the compensation he has recovered on behalf of clients so far and is driven to continue doing so. "It's extremely important to extend the VCF beyond 2020 because of the increased number of cancers and respiratory illnesses that are being diagnosed every day. 2020 was initially being used as a target date by the Obama Administration when the VCF was extended, but the statistics support the fact that the VCF needs to be extended further," he said.
The Zadroga Act includes the establishment of the Victim Compensation Fund and the World Trade Center Health Program. While the Fund pays monetary awards to those sickened by 9/11, the Health Program provides medical monitoring and medical treatment. These programs are funded by both the Federal government and by New York City.
The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act
As of the end of August, 2018, the Victim Compensation Fund had found 20,874 people were eligible for compensation. That number will continue to climb. As of August 31, the Fund had paid out awards that added up to a grand total of $4,279,427,412.73.
As for the World Trade Center Health Program, 8,400 new members have joined during the 12 months from June 2017 to June 2018. Applications continue to increase, with enrollments up 66 percent in the last year. As of June 2018, there were 71,831 first responders enrolled in the Health Program and 16,653 survivors (people who lived, worked and went to school in the area during a certain time period) enrolled.
Here are some quick facts to provide more context:
- The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act was authorized by Congress in 2010 and signed by President Barack Obama in early 2011
- The Health Program was reauthorized in 2015 to last until the year 2090
- Claims for the Compensation Fund can be submitted only through December 18, 2020
So far, 400 first responders have died of 9/11-related cancer, which brings the total death toll to 1,700 people when you include all of the health conditions.
One thing is for sure: We will continue to see rising numbers of claims through the Health Program and the Compensation Fund as more people receive diagnoses of disastrous 9/11-related cancers and illnesses. These diseases tend to have long latency periods, so – even though it's been 17 years – cancers and respiratory illnesses are just now appearing in many people.
Call for a Complimentary Consultation
Call the experienced New York City attorneys at Eisbrouch Marsh to find out if you are eligible for the Health Program and the 9/11 Compensation Fund. You can reach our NYC office for your FREE case review at 212-643-0044. You can also call us at our Hackensack and Newark area offices at 201-342-5545.
