Hansen & Rosasco, LLP

Among the many health issues linked to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, thyroid cancer has become a growing concern for first responders, recovery workers, and those who lived, worked, or attended school in Lower Manhattan after 9/11. The toxic cloud of dust and debris released during the collapse of the World Trade Center (WTC) led to a significant increase in the risk of thyroid cancer among those present. Recognizing the symptoms of thyroid cancer early is essential for timely diagnosis and treatment. Here, we’ll explore the connection between thyroid cancer and 9/11, the symptoms to watch for, the importance of ongoing screening, especially for the 9/11 community, and the support available through the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) and the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF).

The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, changed the course of American history, but the impact did not end with the immediate destruction and loss of life. In the months and years following the attacks on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon, thousands of first responders, recovery workers, and downtown Manhattan workers, residents, and students were exposed to toxic dust and debris, leading to a wide range of serious health issues. More than two decades later, the death toll from 9/11 continues to rise and now far outnumbers the number of deaths on that day, as cancers, respiratory diseases, digestive issues, and mental health conditions linked to the attacks emerge. 

If you were exposed to the 9/11 dust on 9/11 or any time until May 30, 2002 and were since diagnosed with cancer, theWTC Health Program and the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund presume that your cancer is 9/11-related, subject to certain requirements including that the cancer diagnosis date meets the minimum “latency period.”  

Unfortunately, the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) has found insufficient medical evidence linking exposure to the 9/11 toxins and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)/ Lou Gehrig's disease. The result of this finding, at least for now, is that the WTCHP will not certify ALS as 9/11-related, making this condition ineligible for either lifetime healthcare under the WTCHP or compensation from the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund.  Here, we break down the WTC Health Program’s stance on ALS, the certification process, and how experienced 9/11 attorneys can help you navigate your options.

The risk of developing 9/11-related esophageal cancer is significantly higher due to exposure to the toxic dust and debris released after the collapse of the Twin Towers. Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month is a time to raise awareness about one of the most aggressive and difficult-to-treat cancers. Thousands of individuals breathed in the toxic air that lingered in the air for months after the attacks, and are now at greater risk for developing various types of cancer and other 9/11 related illnesses, including esophageal cancer.

[Update – April 7, 2025] Dr. John Howard has been reinstated as Administrator of the World Trade Center Health Program - a positive and necessary step in the ongoing crisis facing the program. However, major challenges remain. Sixteen of the program’s remaining 86 staff have received notice of possible termination, and funding for critical operations remains uncertain. The WTCHP provides essential medical treatment and monitoring to over 137,000 responders and survivors across the country. Without full staffing and long-term funding, thousands of 9/11 victims could face delays or denials in health care. Lawmakers and 9/11 advocacy groups are urging immediate restoration of all staffing and full program support to ensure this life-saving care continues uninterrupted.

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.