On December 18, 2015 President Obama signed into law the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010, a bill re-authorizing the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (“VCF”) for an additional five years.
This will benefit individuals impacted by the events of 9/11 including men who developed prostate cancer as a result of exposure to the disaster.
Importantly, the re-authorization extends the deadline for submitting claims. Previously the VCF said it would stop receiving claims on October 3, 2016. This is no longer the case. As of September 2, the deadline has been extended by four years.
The new deadline for filing a claim (and all supporting documents) is December 18, 2020.
Cancers including prostate cancer as a possible result of exposure to 9/11 disaster toxins began to emerge and gained medical attention in 2007-08, years later than rapid onset after-effects of exposure such as traumatic injury, respiratory diseases, clinical depression, and PTSD.
For men diagnosed with prostate cancer on or after the Registration Start Date of October 22, 2013, the new Registration Deadline for compensation is two years after Registration Start Date, but no later than December 18, 2020.
Registration start and deadline dates vary according to health condition. Rules for the array of covered health conditions are complex. Victim's Compensation Fund advises to consider consulting a lawyer qualified and reputable in this field.
Be aware that some lawyers' websites currently advertising at the top of internet search results pages claim that the final deadline for registration is October 3, 2016. This is no longer true.
This VCF .pdf file includes a chart of current, newly revised and reauthorized deadlines.
Links
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
at September 11 Victim Compensation Fund
Registration and Claim Filing Deadlines including chart (.pdf)
World Trade Center Health Program at Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
-- provides medical monitoring and treatment for eligible groups: responders at the WTC and related sites in New York City, Pentagon, and Shanksville, PA, and survivors who were in the New York City disaster area.