9/11-related death claims top 10,000 for first time as cancer deaths mount

Detailed summary

Claims for 9/11-related illness deaths have topped 10,000 for the first time, with cancer present in over 94% of Victims Compensation Fund awards.

Death claims for people who suffered from 9/11–related illnesses have officially shattered a grim milestone — 10,000 — as cancer cases linked to the toxic dust mount, The Post has learned.

According to the October report from the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, 10,029 deceased claims have now been filed for people who suffered from 9/11-related illnesses — a 1,544% increase from 610 such claims at the end of 2015.

“That’s an amazing and really horrifying and heartbreaking statistic,” said lawyer Michael Barasch, who represents about 50% of the 9/11 claimants. “But I have to tell you that number is likely thousands more.”

The federal fund has approved 6,397 deceased awards as of November, including 5,997 involving cancer, the data show. Cancer appears in 93% of all deceased award decisions, according to the fund.

The gap between claims filed and awards approved reflects the lengthy review process, which can take more than a year, Barasch said.

Barasch’s firm has nearly 2,000 cases that are “trapped somewhere between the courthouse and the federal claims system,” his firm said. Surrogate’s courts must approve claims filed on behalf of a deceased person’s estate, a process that can also take more than a year.

“I speak to people every day, and it’s shocking to me how many people still don’t realize that they are eligible,” said Barasch, who worked in the contaminated area and was himself diagnosed with 9/11-related prostate cancer.

Thousands of emergency workers participated in recovery efforts on the pile at Ground Zero after the attacks, while hundreds of thousands of people lived or continued working nearby after the EPA announced that the air in New York City was safe to breathe, Barasch said.

People exposed to the toxic dust and debris may qualify for the funds and health care that were made available by the Zadroga Health and Compensation Act in 2010.

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