How to Appeal a 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund Decision

Since 2001, the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) has awarded more than $2 billion to Barasch & McGarry clients who were in Lower Manhattan or near the Pentagon following 9/11.

Both first responders and survivors (including Lower Manhattan office workers, teachers, students, and residents) who were exposed to Ground Zero toxins and have been diagnosed with cancer or respiratory disease may be eligible for compensation.

These awards – which could amount to millions of dollars for wrongful death, cancer, or severe respiratory disease – have allowed many thousands of 9/11 victims to rebuild their lives and provided long-term financial security for their families.

But sometimes the VCF denies a claim or offers an award that fails to fully account for the victim’s 9/11-related condition, which can occur when the claim does not include all the required evidence.

Barasch & McGarry has helped our clients file tens of thousands of claims and appeals with the VCF to get the maximum award possible.

Filing a claim with the VCF requires two steps:

First, you must demonstrate that you were in Lower Manhattan or at the Pentagon for the required length of time after 9/11 (known as “proof of presence.”)

Second, you need to submit a diagnosis of a 9/11-related disease (known as “covered condition.”)

We can evaluate whether your award was fair, based on previous awards and the VCF’s regulations, as well as help you collect the required evidence to finish a claim. 

If your VCF claim was denied or was less than you had expected, contact us immediately. You must submit an appeal within 30 days. 

Visit 911victims.com or call 212-385-8000 today.