To say that the 9/11 incident was a traumatic one would be an understatement. The event resulted in thousands of deaths, and countless people were injured. Many of those in the area at the time of the attack have also been diagnosed with serious health issues, including some varieties of cancer. After 20 years, many victims are still suffering.
In light of this information, the US Government established a victim compensation fund (VCF) to help those afflicted by the unfortunate event. Anyone who was present in the “9/11 crash site area” between 9/11/2001 and 5/30/2002 and is now suffering from a qualifying health condition may be entitled to lifetime healthcare and tax-free compensation. To get a fair amount in a hassle-free manner, it is recommended that victims seek help from professional attorneys like the ones at Hansen & Rosasco, LLP.
But why is it recommended? How can a lawyer help you? Are their services expensive? How do you pick a reliable attorney to help you? Find answers to all these questions in the upcoming sections. Let’s jump right in:
Why seek the help of a 9/11 attorney?
A 9/11 attorney is someone who has extensive experience with helping 9/11 victims claim compensation. If you or a family member were a victim of the 9/11 tragedy, working with a 9/11 attorney can benefit you in several ways, such as:
1. Relevant experience
9/11 lawyers have relevant experience. For instance, the lawyers at Hansen & Rosasco, LLP have helped over 3000 victims recover over $500 million. They are familiar with the process of getting the claim, and this experience can work to your advantage.
2. Faster claims process
A 9/11 attorney can help you speed up the claims process since they are well-versed with the laws involved in the matter. In some cases, claimants without lawyers end up waiting for years to get their compensation. Such a situation can be avoided if you hire an attorney.
3. For fair compensation
Many victims and their families are not aware of the fair compensation amount that they deserve. As a result, they end up settling for much lower and unfair compensation.
A lawyer with relevant experience can accurately estimate the fair compensation for a victim and fight for their right to receive said compensation. This also means that if you were there at the crash site at the time of the attack and still think you don’t qualify for the compensation, it is still worth your time to speak to a lawyer.
As you can see, there are solid benefits to hiring a 9/11 attorney. However, the cost of working with an attorney prevents many victims from seeking legal help. Fortunately, there is a way for any victim of the 9/11 tragedy to get help from a qualified and experienced attorney without worrying about paying them.
About the 9/11 Zadroga Act
Worrying about paying your attorney may prevent you from getting fair compensation. To help victims overcome this apprehension, there is a law known as the 9/11 Zadroga Act. According to this act, an attorney may not charge more than 10% of the compensation amount that the victim receives from the Victim Compensation Fund (VCF).
The VCF award is directly deposited in the attorney’s escrow account. Then, they deduct their 10% fee and send the rest to the victim. In some cases, an attorney may deduct additional money from your compensation to cover expenses like unpaid medical bills or the fee for private investigators or expert witnesses.
This doesn’t just mean that just about any victim can afford an attorney. It also means that the attorneys have their own motivation to help victims get the maximum possible compensation.
Choosing the right 9/11 lawyer
Choosing the right attorney is not difficult in this case. Ideally, you are looking for someone with extensive experience with the matter. That way, you can rest assured that your attorney is familiar with the process, has helped others get fair compensation, and can do the same for you.
Checking online reviews is the most basic way to see if a specific attorney can truly help your case. Then, when you speak to them, ask them about some of the other victims that they have helped. If everything checks out, you can proceed with filing your claim with the attorney.
Conclusion
Hiring an attorney is not a legal necessity for filing a claim with the VCF. However, it can make the process faster and less complicated for the victims. Hopefully, the information provided above helps you make an informed decision about hiring a 9/11 attorney.