The health effects that arose after the September 11th terrorist attacks gave way to the Victims’ Compensation Fund (VCF). Created by an Act of Congress on September 22nd, 2001, it was closed in 2004 and reauthorized multiple times until it was permanently authorized in 2019.
What is the Victims’ Compensation Fund (VCF)?
The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) was created shortly after 9/11 for the purpose of compensating the victims and their families of the terrorist attacks. The fund is not limited to first responders, as volunteers and those who lived near Ground Zero can apply.
While the VCF was limited in scope initially, it has since expanded to include illnesses caused by toxic dust exposure, such as asbestos, various cancers, and psychological disorders. There are millions of Americans alive today who are still being affected by diseases caused by 9/11.
Victims’ Compensation Fund Covered 9/11 Illnesses and Cancers
The total number of unique health conditions covered by the Victims’ Compensation Fund are far too numerous to list. This list includes broad categories of the most common illnesses.
Acute Traumatic Injury
VCF covers injuries related to working at or being around Ground Zero. These injuries include but aren’t limited to bone injuries, complex sprains, head injuries, burns, eye injuries, and tendon tears. If an injury occurred on 9/11 or due to debris caused by 9/11, victims would be compensated.
Aerodigestive Disorders
An aerodigestive disorder is a condition or disease that affects the aerodigestive tract, such as the airway, pulmonary track, and upper digestive tract. VCF covers 13 aerodigestive disorders, including gastroesophageal reflux disorder, sleep apnea, and obstructive pulmonary disease.
Numerous Cancers
The VCF covered over 75 cancer types, each of which has various subcategories that may also qualify for VCF.
Here are some of the most common cancer types covered by VCF in the US:
- Blood and lymphoid cancer, including lymphoma, leukemia, and Hodgkin’s disease.
- Childhood cancer if a person under 20 develops cancer due to toxic exposure.
- Digestive system cancer, including cancers found in the esophagus, colon, or rectum.
- Eye cancers, including cancers that affect the orbit area around the eye socket.
- Female breast cancer, but unfortunately, not male breast cancer, in the nipple or areola.
- Female reproductive system cancer, but only ovarian cancer is covered by VCF.
- Head, tongue, lip, mouth, and neck cancer, which includes over 17 subcategories.
- Melanoma, non-melanoma, and 21 other subcategories of skin-related cancers.
- Mesothelioma, which occurs due to asbestos exposure, is covered in all organs.
- Rare cancers or cancers that affect 15 or fewer of every 100,000 people.
- Respiratory system cancer, including cancers that affect the lungs, heart, and pleura.
- Soft tissue cancers that affect the autonomic nervous system and peripheral nerves.
- Thyroid cancer, but VCF only classifies one type of cancer that affects this area.
- Urinary system cancer found in the bladder, kidney, prostate, renal pelvis, and ureter.
Post 9/11 uterine cancer victims can seek further compensation for pain and suffering, medical bills, lost opportunities, among other things if they contact a local victim compensation lawyer.
Mental Health Disorders
Any trauma connected to 9/11 may be compensated by VCF. Conditions such as adjustment, anxiety, depression, dysthymia, panic, post-traumatic stress, and substance abuse disorder are covered. But you’re more likely to be covered if you lived by or worked around Ground Zero.
Musculoskeletal Disorder
A musculoskeletal disorder is a condition that affects your bones, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and connective tissue. Arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, back problems, certain cancers, carpal tunnel, tendonitis, and spinal stenosis are a few musculoskeletal disorders covered by VCF.
