Documents showing presence at a 9/11 crash site are perhaps the most important
9/11 survivors who are seeking money from the Victim Compensation Fund will have to submit a series of documents to establish their eligibility, the most important being those showing their presence within the Exposure Zone, namely at least two of the following:
- employer records
- proof of residence
- contemporaneous document
- sworn and notarized affidavits
The victim's medical records are also very important in establishing their eligibility to receive money from the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. If the victim's 9/11-related physical injuries or conditions have been certified for treatment under the WTC Health Program after July 1, 2011, they do not need to submit any evidence of physical injury. However, if this is not the case, you must submit documentation including proof of when each injury or condition was discovered and when each injury or condition was first treated by a medical professional.
Furthermore, if the victim, a representative of the victim, a dependent, spouse, or beneficiary participated in a 9/11-related lawsuit, they must provide documents showing the lawsuit was withdrawn, settled, or dismissed. Claimants must submit a copy of the notice of withdrawal or dismissal filed on or before January 2, 2012, by the victim or on behalf of the victim. This evidence must include confirmation that the notice was filed with the court. For instance, you can submit the actual notice showing the file stamp or a confirmation from the ECF system. If the victim's lawsuit was settled with some or all parties, the Victim Compensation Fund will need documentation showing the amount of the settlement and the release of the lawsuit.
There are also some documents that are applicable to some 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund claims, such as proof of the following:
- replacement services
- loss of past earnings
- loss of future earnings
- collateral source payments
Finally, civilian volunteers will have to provide their attorney with the following documents if they want to access compensation from the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund:
- volunteer activity or work at the former World Trade Center site
- location at the former World Trade Center site
- the time period that you were working or volunteering at the site
Examples of valid supporting documentation include copies of the following:
- a letter from your employer, union, or volunteer organization stating that you participated in WTC-related activities on or after 9/11
- a memo book for New York City police officers that documents the time and hours worked at the World Trade Center site
- a letter or award given by the local, state, or national government, including military awards commending your WTC activities
- a letter from the Workers Compensation Board reporting a paid and/or active workers' compensation claim for your World Trade Center activities
- timesheets or overtime reports that show the days, hours worked, and location of World Trade Center activities
Understandably, gathering all these documents might seem daunting, but depending on your particular case, you might not have to provide everything listed above. A toxic exposure attorney is the only professional who will be able to tell you which documents are necessary to have your 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund claim filed successfully, so do not hesitate to contact one, as they can efficiently assist you with this complex process.
File your 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund claim with the assistance of our skilled attorneys
Since 1990, our legal team has been dedicating its efforts to providing quality assistance to toxic exposure victims. Today, we offer legal help to 9/11 survivors or responders who came to struggle with a disease or injury. Because we understand how overwhelming suffering from a serious illness can be, we will strive to ease and simplify the legal process as much as possible for you so that it will require minimal involvement from you. The only documents we will need to determine your eligibility are proof of your presence in the Exposure Zone and your medical records with your diagnosis. If we establish that you qualify for compensation from the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund, we will do all in our power to obtain the maximum amount you deserve for your suffering.
