Victim Compensation Fund

BREAKING NEWS: Barasch & McGarry Blows the Whistle on Corrupt VCF Lawyer Who Stole $1 Million from Disabled NYPD Officer – And, Recovers $400,000 for the Victim! Disgraced Westchester attorney Gustavo L. Vila appeared in White Plains Federal Court yesterday to plead guilty to stealing a $1 million Victim Compensation Fund award from his former client, […]

Recent studies from Stony Brook University found that people who inhaled toxic dust after the 9/11 terror attacks have a greater risk of developing dementia and other forms of memory loss. “Scores of people who I represent have told me over the years, ‘my husband can’t remember anything’ or ‘I can’t remember anything, Michael’ and it’s really heartbreaking,” […]

A year ago today, I was honored to be invited to the White House, along with my partner Lee London and Ret. FDNY Deputy Chief Richie Alles, to witness the historic signing of the law which fully funded and permanently extended the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. In addition to the legislators who sponsored the bill, […]

A year ago today, the U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passed the Permanent Authorization of the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund Act. Over a dozen attorneys and staff from our firm, all who had lobbied for months for the passage of this legislation, were present in the Senate chambers to witness this historic vote. It really took a […]

Many 9/11 responders and survivors went through major life changes after the attacks, and those changes may have include getting married or experiencing other life events that resulted in a legal name change. The VCF will accept claims under your new name, but requires some proof of the change. If your name is now different […]

No, absolutely not. The VCF does not premise their award amounts solely on financial losses. Anybody with a physical health certification from the WTC Health Program and/or medical proof that they suffer from a condition the federal government has linked to 9/11 can qualify for an award for “pain and suffering”, also known as “non-economic […]