September 11th VCF Authorizes Over 1,000 Payments, Parker Waichman Comments

March 10, 2016 – – The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) has authorized over 1,000 full payments to ailing 9/11 responders and survivors. The VCF and World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program were recently kept open through reauthorization of the Zadroga Act.

Parker Waichman LLP, a national law firm that has spent many years fighting to ensure that the first responders and survivors of the 9/11 terrorist attacks are never forgotten, applauds the ongoing efforts of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF). According to a March 1, 2016 message from Special Master Sheila Birnbaum, more than 1,000 Group A claims totaling over $233.4 million have been authorized as of February 29, 2016. Ms. Birnbaum noted that VCF has surpassed its first interim target of authorizing 1,000 full payments.

The Special Master’s message also noted that upcoming payments appear to be on track. “Our expanded payment team is now fully trained and I expect to authorize a significantly greater number of payments in each successive month until all Group A payments have been made. We remain on track to meet the target dates published in our timeline. If you have a claim in Group A and you have not yet received a letter from the VCF with specific details about your payment, I appreciate your continued patience as we work to get each claim through the process.” Ms. Birnbaum said. (http://www.vcf.gov/groupaupdatemar2016.html)

“This update is encouraging news for sick 9/11 responders and survivors,” said Matthew J. McCauley, Senior Litigation Counsel at Parker Waichman. “After years of fighting for Zadroga reauthorization, 9/11 heroes are finally getting the help they need and deserve.”

The firm, who has stood alongside responders, lawmakers, and 9/11 advocates to fight for Zadroga reauthorization, comments that the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act was passed after years of effort and advocacy work. The initial act, which was passed in 2010, established the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program offering medical care and monitoring to responders and survivors. The Zadroga Act also reopened the VCF for an additional five years. The reauthorization, which was signed into law on December 18, 2015, funds the WTC Health Program for another 75 years and extends the VCF for another five years.

Parker Waichman actively worked toward the 2010 passage of the Zadroga Act, including taking part in lobbying efforts and trips to the nation’s capital, often along with the firm’s clients—other responders and survivors. The firm’s support and commitment for permanent extension of the Act never stopped as Parker Waichman continued its fight in 2015, taking part in numerous lobbying efforts and being part of various delegations.

Mr. McCauley, who is also a former New York Police Department (NYPD) first responder continually attended nearly weekly lobbying events and delegations—many in the nation’s capital—to ensure the Act was extended and “that every hero and survivor receives the benefits and compensation they deserve, today and in the future.” In fact, Mr. McCauley was also part of a powerful group of advocates, including many lawmakers; John Feal of the FealGood Foundation, a 9/11 advocacy group; Ray Pfeifer, former Fire Department of New York (FDNY) firefighter; Benjamin Chevat, Executive Director of Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act, Inc.; Richard Alles of the Uniformed Fire Officers Association, Deputy Chief of the FDNY and Board Member of Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act; and Jon Stewart, Zadroga Act advocate and former host of “The Daily Show.” The firm also assisted with the research on, and creation of, the “Take Acton” tool that enabled citizens to review Congress members’ activities concerning the Act.

The firm vows to continue its efforts to safeguard 9/11 heroes and survivors and to ensure that all of the deserved Zadroga Act compensation is received. To determine eligibility for compensation under the Act, or for assistance with a claim, please visit Parker Waichman’s website or call 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636).

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Parker Waichman
516-466-6500
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