Out-of-State Responders

Handling WTC Exposure Claims Nationwide

The tragedy of the terrorist attacks of 9/11 drew countless volunteers from across the country to New York to help their fellow Americans. Many stayed for days or weeks. Unfortunately, while they were here, these volunteers were exposed to extremely high levels of toxins in the debris and dust surrounding the World Trade Center site. Many now suffer from debilitating and deadly disorders including 69 different cancers. And many have since moved away and might not be aware of the benefits to which they are entitled.

The attorneys at Barasch & McGarry can help you obtain medical care and compensation, no matter where you live. If you lived in New York at the time of 9/11 and later moved, or if you came from out of state to help, we’ll make sure you get the benefits you deserve.

Out-of-State Responder Eligibility

Any person who worked as a rescue, recovery or cleanup worker, or performed maintenance work in the New York City 9/11 disaster area during specific timeframes may qualify for compensation and medical benefits.

New York residency is not a requirement. However, documentation of your presence at the disaster site is required. This seemingly simple verification can be more difficult than many expect, especially so many years later. That is where we can help.

Barasch & McGarry is the leading law firm helping responders document, apply for, and successfully attain a Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) claim. From our office which is just steps from Ground Zero, we saw firsthand the heroic efforts of so many people who came to aid our city. We want to do everything in our power on their behalf. Our out-of-state clients include:

• Firefighters
• Police officers
• EMTs
• Medical personnel
• Volunteers
• Construction workers
• Contractors
• Responders who lived or worked in NYC on Sept. 11, 2001

Covering 69 Cancers and Many Respiratory Illnesses

The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010, and its recent permanent funding and extension in 2019, The Never Forget The Heroes Act, provide medical and financial benefits to responders, volunteers, downtown workers and residents who performed rescue, recovery, demolition, debris cleanup or related support services, or who lived or worked in the 9/11 disaster zone.

The act covers a host of post-9/11 illnesses including 69 different types of cancers like lung, prostate, blood, and skin cancers and many respiratory diseases such as COPD, GERD, chronic cough, asthma, and chronic sinus infection.

To each and everyone on staff at Barasch & McGarry THANK YOU for advocating and fighting for us all, victims and families. To this day, images of the tragedy remain clear in my memory, the loss of so many who turned out with us on our EMS runs still stirs up deep emotions. Your firm has always been compassionate, empathetic and thankful of our rescue efforts and work related to 9/11.

M.F
9/11 Responder

Deadline to register for 9/11 VCF has been extended

For all out-of-state responders who have been diagnosed with any of the 69 cancers linked to the WTC toxic dust, the deadline to apply for VCF benefits is two years from the date that your type of cancer was certified by the WTC Health Program — or any other governmental agency. However, your two-year period to register doesn’t start on the day of your cancer diagnosis. Rather, it starts only when you are made aware your cancer was linked to exposure to the WTC toxins. If you are closely related to someone who lived in or came to New York to aid in the post-9/11 recovery effort who died from a WTC-related cancer, your family has two years from the date of death to register. Please be sure to register and help spread the word about the strict two-year deadline to register a claim.