Blood Cancer

Multiple Blood Cancers, Carcinogens Linked to 9/11 Toxins

The collapse of the World Trade Center’s twin towers and several adjacent buildings released an unknown number of contaminants and carcinogens into the air. Materials and compounds never intended to burn were incinerated and reduced to fumes, smoke, vapors, particles, and ash. Researchers who studied the toxins released into the air on 9/11 have identified more than 70 different deadly carcinogens, many of which survivors and responders breathed in, and that lingered for eight months during clean-up and removal efforts.

As workers were encouraged to return to Lower Manhattan in the weeks and months after 9/11, most were unaware of the dangers that lingered. Those toxins have been linked to 69 different cancers among survivors and responders, including 14 different blood cancers.

Blood Cancers Increasing Over Time in 9/11 Survivors, Responders

Ongoing research and longitudinal studies have been critical in validating the links to cancer during the two decades following 9/11. More recently, there have been strong correlations to 9/11 toxins and blood cancers. A 2018 study showed that firefighters exposed to chemicals and toxic dust were twice as likely to developing multiple myeloma. And a 2019 study revealed first responders had an increased risk of leukemia by 41 percent compared to the general population. 

Forms of leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma each have their unique characteristics, points of origin and symptoms, but all are classified as blood cancers due to the impact on blood and to bone marrow where blood cells originate. Lymphoma also affects the lymph nodes and can impact other organs in the body.

Notable blood cancer symptoms

Blood cancers can reveal few to no symptoms in their early stages, and can be overlooked or mistaken for other illnesses. Depending on the form of blood cancer, detection can occur through tests such as blood and urine tests, bone marrow, or biopsy. 

Some notable symptoms of blood cancers include: 

• Fatigue (all)
• Unexplained weight loss (all)
• Fever, night sweats, chills (leukemia/lymphoma)
• Swollen lymph nodes in neck, groin, or armpit regions (leukemia/lymphoma) 
• Bone pain (leukemia/myeloma)
• Frequent infections (leukemia/myeloma)
• Heightened bleeding or bruising (leukemia)
• Shortness of breath (lymphoma)
• Nausea, loss of appetite, constipation, excessive thirst (myeloma)
• Weakness/numbness in legs (myeloma)
• Mental fogginess or confusion (myeloma)

Because it can take months, years, or even decades for cancer to grow, it is important for 9/11 survivors and responders to be aware that a diagnosis years later can be a result of their exposure, and they have the right to seek full and fair compensation.

I am a retired FDNY Lieutenant, who was injured on 9/11, and have subsequently developed some health problems from that terrible day. Your lawyers, case managers, and legal assistants have been there for me and my family from the very beginning.

G.W.
Responder, Retired Lieutenant, FDNY

Medical & Financial Benefits for Blood Cancer Patients

The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 was approved legislation that established an initial list of conditions covered by the two 9/11 benefit programs the act created. These programs are The World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP), which provides free nationwide medical care, and the Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) which disburses monetary compensation to those with conditions the WTC Health Program certifies. To date 69 cancers including blood cancers are part of the list of conditions, some of which have been added years later when medical evidence became undeniable. 

In 2019, after dozens of trips down to Washington, D.C. to lobby Congress, our firm and many other 9/11 advocates aided in the full funding and permanent extension of the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. Passage of the Never Forget the Heroes Act essentially ensures funds are available to compensate all who are currently sick or get sick in the future.

Deadline Extended to Register for Compensation

Deadlines to register VCF claims are approaching. If you or anyone you know had cancer or lost a family member as a result on 9/11, reach out to us to register for compensation quickly.

If you were exposed to the toxic air on 9/11 or in the eight months that followed but have not had your medical condition linked to 9/11, you also still have time to apply for significant compensation. The deadline to apply to the Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) is two years from the date that your cancer has been certified by the WTC Health Program. The two-year period to register doesn’t start on the day of diagnosis. Rather, it starts only when a victim is made aware their condition was linked to exposure to the WTC toxins.

For those who died from their WTC-linked condition, the two-year period for their family to register starts on the day of the death of the WTC victim.

Many people have tried to complete the VCF application on their own, only to learn that it requires answers to hundreds of questions and many documents to download. It would be our pleasure to help you complete the process to ensure that you receive the compensation to which you are entitled. Please contact us for a free consultation.