Many 9/11 first responders and survivors developed cancer linked to the dust and toxins created by the 9/11 attacks.
Some of these people are young children attending school or otherwise in the area. It’s unthinkable that decades after the 9/11 attacks, survivors are still impacted by the effects, but it’s an unfortunate truth.
The Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) understands the severity of these effects and offers compensation for 9/11 childhood cancer victims. While the VCF wants to help victims of 9/11, understanding eligibility and conditions can be a struggle. Learn everything about 9/11 childhood cancer claims and compensation below.
Definition of Childhood Cancer
According to the VCF, childhood cancer is any cancer diagnosed in someone under the age of 20 who was near 9/11 ground zero. Many children nearby were exposed to and inhaled dust and fumes from the attack, containing asbestos and other harmful toxins.
If one is diagnosed with cancer at the age of 21 or older, they are not eligible for 9/11 childhood cancer compensation. However, they are likely eligible for other cancer victim compensation from the VCF.
Also Read: How do our childhood experiences affect our chakras?
Eligible Types of Cancer
Below are the many types of cancer present in children or adults who experienced exposure the VCF and WTC deem eligible for compensation. In some cases, the diagnosis is not the sole criterion, as the VCF also considers the severity of cancer when awarding compensation.
- Leukemia
- Brain and Central Nervous System Tumors
- Spinal Cord Tumor
- Wilms’ Tumor
- Neuroblastoma
- Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
- Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
- Rhabdomyosarcoma
- Retinoblastoma
- Bone Cancer
- Osteosarcoma
- Adrenocortical Carcinoma
- Astrocytoma
- Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor
- Chondroblastoma
- Choroid Plexus Tumor
- Craniopharyngioma
- Desmoid Tumor
- Dysembryoplastic Neuroepithelial Tumor
- Ependymoma
- Fibrosarcoma
- Germ Cell Tumor of the Brain
- Glioblastoma Multiforme
- Glioma
- Gliomatosis Cerebri
- Hepatoblastoma
- Histiocytosis
- Kidney Tumor
- Liposarcoma
- Liver Cancer
- Lymphoma, Burkitt
- Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma
- Melanoma
- Myelodysplastic Syndrome
- Nephroblastoma
- Neurofibrosarcoma
- Osteosarcoma
- Pilocytic Astrocytoma
- Rhabdoid Tumor of the Kidney
- Sarcoma
Defining Exposure
The toxic effects of the 9/11 attacks on lower Manhattan persisted for months, meaning the child may have suffered exposure even if they weren’t in the vicinity on the day of the attacks.
Anyone in the New York City Exposure Zone in the months following the attacks could have inhaled asbestos and other toxins floating around in the dust. It’s estimated the area was still a hazard for as long as five months following the attacks.
Also Read: 4 Types of Mesothelioma Claims and Why Should You Hire an Attorney?
Latency Periods Explained
The latency periods were set by the WTC Health Program and refer to the minimum required time between exposure and diagnosis needed to qualify as eligible for compensation.
The latency periods differ depending on the type of cancer. The latency periods can range from 1 year to over ten years.
9/11 Childhood Cancer Claim Compensation
Much of the VCF compensation for childhood cancer claims help to cover medical expenses related to the cancer diagnosis. However, compensation can also be awarded to help cover the cost of lost wages, lost employment benefits, household services, and other relevant expenses.
In addition to economic compensation, 9/11 childhood cancer victims may be eligible for non-economic compensation due to pain and suffering. Essentially, this is like emotional compensation for trauma.
Awarded compensation for cancer claims related to 9/11 ranges from a few thousand dollars to $250,000, which is the cap. This compensation range applies to both economic and non-economic awards.
Get the Compensation You Deserve
It’s painfully unfair how this disastrous and heinous event impacted so many children. These children are the definition of innocent bystanders and must now fight a deadly disease because of actions far beyond their control.
The VCF understands this pain and wants to award compensation to the families and children suffering. To ensure you get the compensation you deserve to help ease financial stress related to medical expenses, contact expert 9/11 cancer compensation lawyers Hansen and Rosasco for help.
