Potential Outcomes of Your Claim
The VCF makes cash awards of compensation ranging from $10,000 to $4,000,000. The VCF has established a tiered approach to determine the amount of compensation an individual is eligible to receive. The amount of compensation is based on a number of factors, including the type and severity of the injury or illness, the impact on the individual’s life, the duration of suffering, and the amount of medical and economic (lost wages) loss suffered or funeral and burial expenses in the case of a lost loved one.
In most cases, claimants will receive a one-time payment that covers all of their losses. This may include non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering, plus past 9/11-related medical expenses, lost wages, and other economic losses. In other cases, if a claimant’s condition gets materially worse or they are diagnosed with a new condition, we are able to file an amendment for additional compensation. What compensation to seek can be complex and often difficult to evaluate, benefitting from the assistance of an experienced 9/11 attorney.
Understanding Coverage
The VCF provides coverage for economic loss, non-economic loss, and past medical expenses.
Economic Loss
Economic loss includes lost wages and fringe benefits, past out-of-pocket medical costs for 9/11-related conditions, funeral and burial expenses for the loss of a loved one, and “replacement services” to compensate for the household tasks that the 9/11 claimant can no longer perform.
Non-Economic Loss
The VCF uses the term “‘non-economic loss” to refer to what people usually understand to be known as pain and suffering or loss of enjoyment of life damages. These non-economic award range from $10,000 to $340,000. In addition, in cases where a loved one is loss, the VCF will also make an additional award for the wrongful death pain and suffering, which can be a high as an additional $250,000. Also in the case of a 9/11 wrongful death claim, the VCF may also make a “dependent” award to a surviving spouse and dependent children, which could be as much as $100,000 for the surviving spouse and each dependent child.
Medical Expenses
Medical expenses include the cost of medical treatment, medication, and any other medical-related expenses associated with 9/11-related cancer or other 9/11-connected medical condition. Importantly, the VCF will not make awards for past medical expenses that were covered by insurance or another third-party payor. Finally, the VCF will accept claims for past medical expenses if the amount paid out-of-pocket is more than $5,000, but there is no cap on awards for past out-of-pocket medical expense awards.
Additional Compensation For Worsened Conditions
Individuals who have experienced a worsened condition due to the terrorist attacks may be eligible for additional compensation. The VCF considers a worsened condition to be one that has been exacerbated by 9/11 and has caused an individual to suffer additional physical or mental harm.
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