Highlights
- Medical research has proven that people exposed to toxins in the air on 9/11, and in the months after, are at significantly higher risk of developing a wide-range of cancers.
- 69 different forms of cancer have been linked to 9/11 by doctors at the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program.
- Those with a cancer diagnosis may be eligible for cash compensation through the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) and lifetime free health care through the WTC Health Program.
- Barasch & McGarry has filed more VCF claims for cancer victims than any other law firm and has successfully recovered over $7 billion.
Medical and Financial Assistance For 9/11 Cancer Victims
The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks claimed nearly 3,000 lives in a single day. But, a hidden killer was present on that day too and lingered in the air for months around the tragedy sites at the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and Shanksville, PA. Researchers who studied the toxins released into the air on 9/11 have identified over 70 different deadly carcinogens.
The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 which was reauthorized in 2016 and then permanently funded and extended in 2019, established the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program and the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF). The WTC Health Program provides free nationwide medical care to 9/11 cancer victims and the VCF provides monetary benefits to 9/11 cancer victims. While eligibility for these programs varies based on the category of your claim, establishing a link between your cancer and your exposure on 9/11 or in the 8 months that followed is the key to receiving benefits from these programs.
Top 10 Most Common Certified 9/11 Cancers
The following are the top cancers observed in enrollees to the World Trade Center Health Program. The data shows cancer cases in the 9/11 responder and survivor populations. Data from June 2026.
Complete List of 69 Cancers Eligible for 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund
Actual Client VCF Awards
New York City Lawyers Representing 9/11 Cancer Victims
Barasch & McGarry has helped thousands of 9/11 victims suffering from cancer get the maximum amount of compensation through the Victim Compensation Fund (VCF). We know the intricacies of these 9/11 programs and we’ll make sure you feel at ease every step of the way towards receiving the fair and full compensation you deserve.
Contact Us
It’s important to act quickly. Find out if you’re eligible to receive compensation from the $17 billion set aside for 9/11 victims. Call us at 212-385-8000 or contact us online today.
9/11 Cancer Common Questions
The 9/11 VCF covers 69 different types of cancer that have been linked to toxic exposure at the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and Shanksville sites. This includes common cancers like lung, thyroid, breast, and prostate cancer, as well as rare forms such as mesothelioma and various blood cancers. All covered cancers must be certified by the World Trade Center Health Program. The most frequently diagnosed cancers among 9/11 responders and survivors include skin cancer (non-melanoma), prostate cancer, thyroid cancer, and breast cancer.
You don’t need to definitively prove your cancer was caused by 9/11 exposure. To qualify for VCF compensation, you must demonstrate that you were present in the exposure zone (Manhattan below Canal Street, Pentagon, Shanksville, or Staten Island Landfill) between September 11, 2001, and May 30, 2002, and that you have been diagnosed with a covered cancer certified by the WTC Health Program. The certification process involves medical documentation showing your cancer diagnosis, and the VCF presumes a connection between qualifying exposure and certified conditions.
Yes, you can absolutely file a VCF claim even if your cancer is in remission or has been successfully treated. The VCF compensates for past and ongoing impacts of your cancer, including previous medical expenses, lost wages during treatment, pain and suffering, and future monitoring costs. Many claimants with cancer in remission receive substantial awards. It’s important to file your claim within two years of receiving your WTC Health Program certification, regardless of your current cancer status.
Late cancer diagnoses are common among 9/11 survivors and responders, as many cancers have latency periods of 10-20 years or more. The VCF recognizes this and continues to accept claims from individuals diagnosed with cancer decades after their exposure. There is no cutoff date for when your cancer must have been diagnosed—only that you register with the VCF within two years of receiving your WTC Health Program certification. Many cancer claims are being filed in 2024 and beyond for cancers diagnosed recently.
VCF compensation for cancer varies significantly based on the type and severity of cancer, your age at diagnosis, economic losses, and non-economic damages. Awards for cancer victims have ranged from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars. Factors affecting your award include lost income (past and future), medical expenses not covered by insurance, pain and suffering, and whether your cancer was terminal or required aggressive treatment. An experienced VCF attorney can help maximize your compensation by thoroughly documenting all losses.
Yes, if you’ve been diagnosed with multiple cancers linked to 9/11 exposure, each certified cancer can be included in your VCF claim. Multiple cancer diagnoses typically result in higher compensation awards due to increased medical expenses, more extensive treatment, greater pain and suffering, and compounded impact on your life and earning capacity. It’s crucial to have all cancer diagnoses certified by the WTC Health Program and properly documented in your VCF claim.
The WTC Health Program and VCF serve different purposes. The WTC Health Program provides free medical monitoring and treatment for your 9/11-related cancer at specialized centers of excellence. The VCF provides financial compensation for your economic losses (lost wages, medical expenses) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering) caused by your cancer. You must be enrolled in the WTC Health Program and receive certification of your cancer before you can file a VCF claim, but participation in one program does not automatically enroll you in the other.
Yes, you can file a VCF claim even if you received workers’ compensation, disability benefits, or other awards related to your 9/11 cancer. However, the VCF may reduce your award by certain collateral payments to avoid duplicate compensation for the same losses. This offset typically applies to economic damages (lost wages, medical expenses) but not to pain and suffering awards. An experienced attorney can help you understand how prior payments will affect your claim and ensure you receive the maximum compensation available.
You may be interested in:
9/11 Victim Compensation Fund
Over $17 billion available to Lower Manhattan residents, office workers, responders, and those in the exposure zone on 9/11 and in the months after.
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