Police Officers

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

OF CASES & CLIENTS SERVED

 9/11 Volunteers

WTC First Responders

Construction Workers

Sanitation Workers

Downtown Manhattan Students & Teachers

Downtown Manhattan Students & Teachers

Fire Fighters

EMTS

All information collected is confidential

Downtown Manhattan Residents & Workers

Downtown Manhattan Residents & Workers

Martin is a graduate of George Washington University Law School with honors. He has practiced in the field of personal injury lawsuits for 50 years. Mr. Weisfuse served as an arbitrator in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, and has lectured on trial technique to other attorneys for the Practicing Law Institute. He is a member of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, and the American Association for Justice.  Martin H. Weisfuse has also been selected as one of the New York Metro Super Lawyers. Mr. Weisfuse has volunteered to assist cancer victims who have been denied medical coverage from their insurance companies, and to assist 9/11 victims in filing claims. He was a member of the Civil Court Committee of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, which screened applicants for judges in the court. He has served on the Medical Malpractice Screening Committee for the New York Supreme Court, which determines which medical malpractice cases filed in the court have merit. He has also served on the boards of various charities. 

Partner 

Partner 

The managing partner, is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School, and has practiced for 30 years. Before becoming a partner at Weisfuse & Weisfuse, LLP, she worked for major law firms in the areas of real estate and corporate law. In addition to being managing partner, she is involved in the firm’s appellate practice. She has served on the board of a music foundation, and is a supporter of charities providing food for the needy, medical services for the poor and medical research.

Partner

Jason graduated from New York Law School in 2009 and is a partner of our law firm. He is a member of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association and the American Association for Justice. 

CANCER CAN TAKE YEARS TO DEVELOP AFTER EXPOSURE

The latency period for cancer is defined as the amount of time that elapses between the initial exposure to a carcinogen and the diagnosis of cancer. If you were diagnosed with cancer after 9/11 but before the latency period for that particular type of cancer, the World Trade Center Health Program will determine that your cancer was not caused by toxic exposure from 9/11 and you will not be eligible for compensation or medical treatment.

Latency Periods Are Based On Type Of Cancer

The World Trade Center Health Program and the Environmental Protection Agency determined minimum latencies for the following five types or categories of cancer:

• Mesothelioma – 11 years. If you are filing a claim for mesothelioma, you must have been diagnosed no earlier than 11 years after September 11, 2001, to be eligible for compensation.
• Solid cancers (not including mesothelioma, lymphoproliferative, thyroid and childhood cancers) – four years
• Lymphoproliferative and hematopoietic cancers (including all types of leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma) – 146 days
• Thyroid cancer – two and a half years
• Childhood cancers (excluding lymphoproliferative and hematopoietic cancers) – one year

Noneconomic Losses Impact Daily Life

9/11 Compensation Fund will award money to compensate for noneconomic loss, also known as pain and suffering. Noneconomic loss awards are presumed amounts based on the type of illness or cancer claimed. The noneconomic loss award can be increased by presenting evidence of a significant effect on activities of daily living. For example, providing evidence of surgery or chemotherapy may increase the pain and suffering award.

The Type Of Condition Sets A Cap On Noneconomic Awards

According to VCF.gov, the maximum noneconomic award for any single type of cancer is $250,000, except skin cancer, which is in the range of $90,000. The maximum noneconomic award for any one type of noncancerous condition is $90,000.

Emphysema, interstitial lung disease (including asbestosis) and sarcoidosis are considered so severe that they will warrant the highest possible noncancerous award of $90,000 without the need for further documentation. However, there are limited exceptions where the $90,000 cap can be increased. Certain claimants with interstitial lung disease or other pulmonary illnesses suffer in the same way as a lung cancer victim. These claimants might require lung transplants or mechanical respiratory assistance on a daily basis. These claimants may receive the same award as someone with lung cancer.

Economic Losses Are Measurable But Complex

The 9/11 Compensation fund awards compensation for economic loss, including loss of earnings, out-of-pocket medical expenses, funeral expenses and household services.

Loss Of Earnings May Be Offset By Other Income

9/11 Compensation Fund awards compensation for loss of past and future earnings. The VCF will also compensate for loss of employment-related benefits, including pension programs, retirement contribution plans and health benefits. The VCF caps economic loss at $200,000 per year. The loss of earnings award is offset by pension, Social Security Disability (SSD) or private disability insurance.

To prove that your 9/11-related condition is or was disabling, the VCF may accept determinations made by SSD, workers’ compensation or a private disability insurer. Without SSD, the loss must be proven by tax returns or other business records, as well as medical documentation supporting disability. In a death claim, the loss of future earnings may be awarded where there is evidence that the death from an eligible condition resulted in compensable loss.

Without any prior disability determination, the VCF may accept applications based on a detailed evaluation by the victim’s treating physician. In certain circumstances, the VCF may permit a World Trade Center Health Program disability evaluation, upon request.

When A Loved One Dies, Compensation Is Unique

A death claim consists of the losses after the date of death with a presumed noneconomic loss of $250,000 plus $100,000 for the surviving spouse and for each additional dependent. There will be an additional award for the pain and suffering from the date of injury to the date of death. 

RECOVERED IN TOTAL AWARDS

MILLIONS

 Were you present in the Exposure Zone (anywhere south of Houston Street) at any time from September 11^th, 2001 to May 30^th 2002?

Have you been diagnosed with a 9/11-related illness or a 9/11-related pre-existing illness that has worsened?