Protect You and Your Family by Registering your 9/11 VCF Claim – Even if You are Not Sick

Over 500,000 individuals were exposed to toxic air in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center (WTC) on September 11th, 2001. Many have gotten sick and have received lifetime healthcare through the World Trade Center Health Program and also compensation from the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF). The majority of those who were exposed to the 9/11 dust – by living, working, or going to school in lower Manhattan on 9/11 and the many months afterward – are, thankfully, not sick. 

For years, we have been encouraging the thousands of people exposed to the 9/11 toxic fallout to take some basic steps now to protect themselves in the future. The first step is the easiest: Registering a claim with the 9/11 VCF.  The VCF is open until the year 2090 and by registering sooner than later, you meet all deadlines and secure your rights to compensation in the future. Registration is simple and, if you need help, call a component 9/11 lawyer and it can be done for you for free. 

The other step that we have been encouraging the 9/11 dust-exposed population to do is to make sure that they keep any records related to your time present in lower Manhattan in 2001 and 2002. For downtown workers, this could be copies of W-2s, pay stubs, old business cards, old emails, employment contracts, or other work records – essentially anything that showed where you worked in 2001 through 2002. For downtown area residents, you should keep your leases, utility statements, old mail, and essentially any documents showing that you lived in lower Manhattan in 2001-2202. For students, we recommend copies of transcripts or report cards be located and kept. Finally, anyone in lower Manhattan in 2001-2002 should get a put in a folder a witness presence statement that is completed with sufficient detail to satisfy the requirements of the VCF. Should you ever get sick in the future (any time until the VCF closes in 2090), you will need these records as “proof of presence” in the 9/11 Exposure Zone. 

If you were present during or after the attacks, documenting your presence at Ground Zero is an essential part of filing a VCF claim and receiving the highest award possible for your case. Whether or not you have been diagnosed with a 9/11-related illness, gathering proof of presence now can help ensure you protect you and your family’s VCF claim in the future. 

Why Proving Your Presence is Vital

VCF claims require proof that you were present in one of the four designated Exposure Zones on or after September 11th, 2001, and before May 30th, 2002. Proving your presence is vital to ensuring that you receive the compensation you need to cover medical bills, lost wages, and funeral expenses. Without this proof, your VCF claim will likely be denied. 

Understanding the Exposure Zones and Time Frame

Understanding the Exposure Zones and Time Frame is essential in obtaining your proof of presence documentation. The Exposure Zones covered by the 9/11 VCF include the air crash crash sites at the WTC, the Pentagon, and at the Shanksville, Pennsylvania crash site. The WTC site includes the NYC exposure zone, which covers the blocks around Ground Zero in Manhattan –  south of the line that runs along Canal Street from the Hudson River to the intersection of Canal Street and East Broadway, north on East Broadway to Clinton Street, and east on Clinton Street to the East River – as well as any area related to or along the routes of debris removal, such as barges and the Fresh Kills landfill in Staten Island and the other locations where aircraft wreckage was processed. 

In addition, the time frame must be any time between September 11th, 2001, and May 30th, 2002. One does not need to have been present for the entire time frame, but the “Duration of Exposure,” or how long you were present in the areas, may affect the amount of award a claimant receives. Therefore, it is vital that you prove as much presence as possible. Any documentation that covers the aforementioned time frame and locations is admissible in a VCF claim. 

Options for Proof of Presence Documentation

When it comes to obtaining proof of presence documentation, there are several options available, and you will want to explore each of these that are applicable to your case and provide as much documentation as possible. The VCF accepts all of the following proof of presence documentation:

• Employer Records: These can include an official personnel roster, pay stubs showing dates or work and/or location of the site, site credentials documenting work at a particular site, injury reports (documenting a worker’s injury at the site), or a letter from an employer confirming work at a particular site. 
• Proof of Residence: Rent or mortgage receipts and utility bills can help establish that you were living in the area and physically present during the required time frame. A sworn statement from a witness who can testify that you were a resident at the time will also be sufficient.
• Any contemporaneous document listing your presence at the site – such as orders, instructions, confirmation of tasks performed, medical records (documenting treatment as a result of injury that occurred at the site), or school or daycare records confirming enrollment or attendance during the period.  
• Sworn and notarized affidavits (or unsworn statements complying with 28 U.S.C. 1746) regarding the presence of the victim from persons who can attest to the victim’s presence at a 9/11 crash site.

Filing VCF Claims Without Proof of Presence

Fortunately, you can still file a VCF claim without proof of presence documentation. In this case, the WTCHP will determine medical eligibility, and both the WTCHP and the VCF will work together to determine the financial eligibility of your claim. However, the VCF may also request additional information in order to assess your claim's validity.

What Proof of Presence Can Do for Your Family

Proof of presence documentation can do a lot for your family in terms of easing the burden of the application process. This documentation can provide you with the evidence you need to make a successful claim, to help the process go smoothly and get the help your family needs. 

How a 9/11 Attorney Can Help

Navigating the VCF claims process, finding the appropriate forms, and obtaining proof of presence can be challenging. An experienced 9/11 attorney can provide knowledgeable assistance and help ensure that your claim is as comprehensive as possible to get the full compensation you and your family deserve. 

Consult the 9/11 Attorneys at Hansen & Rosasco, LLP

The experienced team of 9/11 attorneys at Hansen & Rosasco, LLP are dedicated to helping individuals and families receive the assistance they need to file a VCF claim. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you protect yourself and your family.