The term "September 11th Victim Compensation Fund" functions as a proper noun, designating a specific federal trust fund. Grammatically, "September 11th" acts as an adjectival phrase modifying the compound noun "compensation fund." The VCF, as it is commonly known, was created by the U.S. Congress to provide financial remuneration to individuals, or the personal representatives of deceased individuals, who suffered physical harm or were killed as a result of the terrorist-related aircraft crashes of September 11, 2001, or the debris removal efforts that took place in the immediate aftermath.
Originally active from 2001 to 2004, the fund was reactivated under the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 and has been reauthorized multiple times. Eligibility is not limited to first responders but extends to any individual who was present at one of the crash sites, in the New York City Exposure Zone, or along the routes of debris removal between September 11, 2001, and May 30, 2002, and who has since been diagnosed with a certified 9/11-related physical health condition. The program processes two primary types of claims: personal injury claims for those suffering from illnesses and wrongful death claims filed on behalf of victims who have died from their 9/11-related conditions.
Operationally, the VCF serves as an administrative alternative to litigation. By filing a claim, individuals waive their right to file or be a party to any civil lawsuit in federal or state court for damages sustained as a result of the 9/11 attacks. The fund calculates awards based on economic and non-economic losses. Economic loss considers factors like lost earnings and benefits, while non-economic loss, intended to compensate for pain and suffering, is subject to statutory caps. The "Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act," signed into law in 2019, permanently authorized the VCF and appropriated funds to pay all eligible claims.
