Victim Compensation Fund

NYPD veteran John Ferreyra figured he could trust his longtime friend Gus Vila, a former police officer who had since become an attorney, and who handled Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) claims. After the 9/11 attacks, Officer Ferreyra spent 12 hour days for 2 months assisting in the rescue and recovery efforts at Ground Zero. He […]

The 9/11 community’s health crisis has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic because first responders and survivors with compromised immune and respiratory systems are uniquely vulnerable to the disease. This crisis has placed an enormous emotional, physical, and financial burden on individuals and families, including responders, debris removal and construction workers, downtown office workers, residents, […]

A Nassau County park has been dedicated to Luis Alvarez, the cancer-stricken NYPD detective who in the months before his 2019 death became the face of the movement to secure permanent health and death benefits for thousands of 9/11 first responders. The former Terrell Avenue Park in Oceanside, located less than half a mile from […]

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, […]