Remembering Those Lost In the 23 Years Since the 9/11 Attacks

When the planes struck the buildings on September 11, 2001, few New Yorkers could have imagined that more people would perish because of the attacks in the years that followed than on the day itself.

As we remember the 2,996 victims on that fateful day, we should also reflect on the many more families who have suffered illnesses as a result of exposure to the toxic dust cloud during the cleanup efforts and as life returned to “normal” in the aftermath.

Most New Yorkers know at least one family affected by this—friends, neighbors, colleagues, community members, and others whose lives have been impacted by the tragic events that day.

Here we honor the people who were lost on the day, those who were lost in the years following, and those who have lived with the long-term health effects of the 9/11 events.

As the world watched in horror on September 11, 2001, most people had a sense that the world was changing forever before their eyes.

For the victims of the attacks—and the families of those who perished—life would never be the same again.

After people mourned the victims in New York. Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, PA, attention slowly shifted to the plight of the responders and volunteers, many of whom started to suffer the negative health effects of the cleanup operation.

Soon, ordinary people returning to work, study, live, and trade in Lower Manhattan—as they were encouraged to do by the government, with the EPA declaring the air safe to breathe—were also showing signs of respiratory illnesses and other health problems.

Every September 11, we should remember and honor the many thousands of brave people whose lives were taken, shattered, or turned upside down by the attacks or the aftermath of that day.

The events of 9/11 are not in the “distant past” for many New York families. The effects are ongoing, and many people are still suffering from related illnesses. The death toll continues to rise, and more people are registering for the medical aid and compensation that they are entitled to.

Thousands of responders and survivors who either contributed to the cleanup efforts or returned to live and work with a toxic dust cloud hanging over parts of the city were adversely affected.

Many have suffered serious health conditions, such as respiratory illnesses, gastrointestinal conditions, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and multiple types of cancer—all linked to breathing in the toxic air in the days, weeks, and months after the attacks.

Fortunately, as we mark the 23rd anniversary of the attacks, help remains at hand with the care and support required by individuals with 9/11-related health conditions.

The federal government established two main programs to address the growing health concerns of responders and survivors in the post-9/11 years: the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) and the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP).

Congress established the first September 11th Victim Compensation Fund in 2001. This provided financial compensation to individuals injured during or immediately following the WTC attacks.

This original fund closed in June 2004, having awarded approximately seven billion dollars in compensation to victims and their families. However, as the years passed, it became apparent that many responders, recovery workers, residents, workers, and students suffered the ill effects of toxic exposure many years after the original exposure. This forced the government to take further action.

The result is the present-day VCF, which compensates victims or their families for illness, injury, or death if they were in the exposure zone between Sept. 11, 2001 and May 30, 2002. Compensation is available for victims until 2090, recognizing the slow progression of many 9/11-related diseases.

The World Trade Center Health Program was established in 2011 after the James Zadroga Health and Compensation Act was passed.

This program replaced previous programs and was designed to provide medical monitoring and treatment for victims suffering from certified 9/11-related conditions.

Registration with the WTCHP may be a precursor to applying to the VCF for compensation but not necessarily. Survivors who were in the exposure zone during the eligible dates can register for the WTCHP even if they currently show no ill effects from the exposure.

Together with the VCF, the WTCHP ensures that those affected by the attacks receive the necessary support to manage both health and financial challenges.

The exposure zone of the toxic dust cloud in Lower Manhattan has been updated and redefined several times over the years as more information has come to light.

It confuses some observers that the VCF employs a slightly smaller NYC exposure area than the WTCHP. The two areas overlap considerably but the latter also employs a slightly different exposure zone for responders and survivors too!

The 2024 definitions are as follows:

VCF eligibility: the area in Manhattan south of the line that runs along Canal Street from the Hudson River to the intersection of Canal Street and East Broadway, north on East Broadway to Clinton Street, and east on Clinton Street to the East River.

WTCHP eligibility: for survivors, the zone now spans from Houston Street to the southern tip of Manhattan and includes a 1.5-mile radius from Ground Zero into certain parts of Brooklyn.

To claim compensation, a minimum number of hours of exposure is required. Victims who are unsure of their eligibility should check with a qualified 9/11 attorney.

As we mark the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, let us remember how the events of that day continue to impact many victims’ families in New York and elsewhere …

To discuss your situation and learn more about how we may be able to help you, please call Weisfuse & Weisfuse, LLP at 212-983-3000 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.