Victims Compensation Fund opens for business

A workers' comp-style program established to compensate workers injured following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks is now up and running.

The Sept. 11th Victim Compensation Fund is part of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act signed into law by President Obama earlier this year.

The VCF includes $2.78 billion in federal funds to provide a no-fault alternative to tort litigation for people injured or killed as a result of the aircraft hijackings and crashes on Sept. 11, 2001. Starting in early October, people who believe they are entitled to funds could go to the VFC website and obtain a list of the types of documents and information needed to process claims.

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Beginning in November, the VCF will begin accepting claims through the website. Potential claimants are instructed to first submit an eligibility form to determine eligibility for compensation; then complete the compensation form to determine the amount of money they are owed.

Of the government funds appropriated, $875 million will be paid out in the first five years of the program, with the rest coming in the sixth year. The funds cover both awards to claimants and administrative costs.

In addition to the VCF, the Zadroga Act also created the World Trade Center Health Program, which provides medical treatment and monitoring for WTC-related health conditions. In September the Department of Health and Human Services announced the appointment of the 15-member WTCHP's scientific/technical advisory committee. The panel will review scientific and medical evidence and make recommendations on eligibility criteria and on WTC-related health conditions.

Currently, the health conditions and diseases that are presumptively covered under the VCF include a variety of aerodigestive disorders as well as several musculoskeletal disorders.

Read more at the WorkersComp Forum homepage.

October 27, 2011

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