Hansen & Rosasco, LLP

Thousands of cases of cancer involving the blood and lymphoid tissue have been certified by the WTC Health Program as linked to the 9/11 attacks, including lymphoma (2043 cases), leukemia (1290 cases), and myeloma (760 cases).  For the hundreds of  9/11 first responders and downtown area workers and residents dealing with  9/11-related multiple myeloma, it begins with spotting the symptoms of myeloma to ensure early diagnosis and treatment. 

March is Myeloma Action Month, so it's a meaningful time for us to explore the common signs of myeloma, the importance of early screening, and the support available through the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) and the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF). This is especially important given that many of the 500,000 people who lived and worked in lower Manhattan in 2001 through 2002 who were exposed to the 9/11 environmental fallout do not always link this acute toxic exposure to their current health conditions 20+ years later, including potential myeloma.

The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) is a federally funded program that was established to provide financial compensation for those affected by the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks or the debris removal efforts in their immediate aftermath. Those affected may be eligible for compensation for past and future lost wages, compensation for noneconomic loss (“pain and suffering”), and reimbursement for past out-of-pocket medical expenses. To be eligible to file a claim, you must register with the VCF and the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) by the applicable deadlines.

A sharp increase in male breast cancer from the 9/11 terrorist attacks has been found in people who lived, worked, or went to school in lower Manhattan between 9/11 and May 30, 2002. Even now, two decades later, cancers and other 9/11-related health conditions are being found in many responders, downtown workers and residents, and others. Anyone who lived or worked in lower Manhattan on or after 9/11 must be aware and look out for the symptoms and signs of male breast cancer – an awareness that is essential for early detection and effective treatment.

If you are disabled from work due to a 9/11 cancer or other serious condition, the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund will make an award of lost earnings, past and future, to compensate you for any loss of earnings and benefits. To make this award, the VCF typically requires a finding of disability, typically by another entity such as the Social Security Administration (e.g., Social Security Disability), the Police and Fire Retirement System (PFRS), NYSLRS or NYCERS, workers’ compensation, or a private disability insurer. 

Some individuals, however, become disabled but do not qualify and are unable to apply to any of these disability systems – a gap in benefits (and determination of disability) that is filled by the VCF disability evaluation process working in conjunction with the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP).  If you’re wondering whether you qualify for the WTC Disability Evaluation Process and how it can impact your VCF claim, this guide explains everything you need to know.

Relocating to a new state, like Florida, doesn’t mean you lose access to critical 9/11 healthcare or 9/11 VCF compensation. The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) provides support to survivors and responders no matter where they currently live. If you’ve moved to Florida but were present in the New York City Exposure Zone between September 11, 2001, and May 30, 2002, you are still eligible for compensation with the VCF, and you can also still access necessary medical treatment through the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP). Here's what you need to know about filing with the VCF and receiving medical care from the WTCHP while living in Florida.

Hansen & Rosasco, LLP, the 9/11 Victim Law Firm, is honored to share the remarkable story of Lynne V. Byrne, a lifelong educator, leader, and inspiration whose legacy will continue to make an impact for generations to come. Through the dedication of her family and the efforts of our law firm, Lynne’s life and contributions are being celebrated with the establishment of an Endowment Fund at Pace University’s Lubin School of Business. This initiative not only honors her life and her students but also brings attention to the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) and its potential to support others affected by the events of that tragic day.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men who were present in lower Manhattan during the many months after the 9/11 attacks. There is a strong, proven link between prostate cancer and exposure to the 9/11 toxic dust. Fortunately, advancements in treating prostate cancer through programs like the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) offer hope. Various cutting-edge prostate cancer treatment options are now available for those who have been diagnosed.  Anyone who worked, lived, or was otherwise present in lower Manhattan between 9/11 and May 30, 2002, needs to be aware of the signs and symptoms, as well as various treatment options available for 9/11-related prostate cancer. 

When a loved one passes away due to a 9/11-related illness, the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) mandates the designation of a Personal Representative to manage the claim on behalf of the deceased. As the deceased cannot file a claim due to their passing, the VCF requires an authorized living person to act on behalf of the deceased’s estate. This individual is typically the executor, as designated in the deceased's last will and testament. In the absence of a will, an administrator is appointed by the local surrogate’s court to handle the estate. Whether an executor or an administrator, the appointment is made by the surrogate’s court in the county where the deceased resided at the time of passing. In most all VCF claims, it is the court-appointed executor or administrator who then acts as the Personal Representative of the VCF claim filed by the estate. 

The World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) was established as part of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act (Zadroga Act) to provide comprehensive medical monitoring and treatment for individuals affected by the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Whether you were a responder or someone who lived, worked, or attended school in Downtown Manhattan and the surrounding Exposure Zone, the WTCHP offers no-cost health services for both physical and mental health conditions linked to 9/11 toxic exposure. The program is administered by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), a program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

The dust and fumes from the September 11th attacks are a known cause of leukemia in downtown workers, residents, students, and first responders.  Research has proven that individuals in lower Manhattan between 9/11 and May 30, 2002, are at an increased risk of developing leukemia and other blood cancers. Understanding this connection is crucial for those who were exposed to the toxic environment created by the collapse of the Twin Towers, as it highlights the importance of health monitoring, treatment, and support through programs like the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) and the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF).

If you or a loved one was present in lower Manhattan during or after the 9/11 attacks, understanding the risks is an essential step in protecting your health. Ongoing health monitoring and no-cost treatment are available to downtown workers, residents, and first responders and can make a significant impact on an individual’s health outcomes.