Many people died and got injured in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The attacks are known for being such horrible incidents that the United States of America citizens will never forget. With the loss of lives and emotional, physical, and financial suffering, recovery from what happened can be challenging. This is why the government allows for the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) claim filing process.
Essentially, the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund is designed to provide adequate compensation to any individual or legal representative of a deceased victim who was killed or injured due to the attacks or the debris removal process during the aftermath of the incident. If you’re a victim of the September 11th terrorist attacks, the funds can compensate you for the economic and non-economic damages you’re entitled to. However, you may wonder if you need legal assistance to help you with the claims process.
Keep reading this article to know if you really need a lawyer for a 9/11 VCF claim.
Reasons For Hiring A VCF Lawyer
Filing a VCF claim can be a complicated process that warrants the services of a legal professional. Depending on your situation, below are the reasons for working with a VCF lawyer:
- Help Establish Your Eligibility
Before you can get compensated under the VCF, you need to establish your eligibility. However, knowing whether you qualify to file a claim can be confusing if you have no idea what steps to take. For example, suppose you’re a 9/11 first responder injured due to the debris removal efforts after the attacks. In that case, you need to procure sufficient evidence to prove the relation between your injury and the September 11th incident.
In such a case, working with lawyers to help you establish your eligibility would make much sense. They have professional connections, like medical experts who can testify that the 9/11 attacks were the proximate cause of your injury. Once they determine your eligibility, they can provide you with an accurate calculation of the compensation you deserve. By doing this, you can have an idea as to the amount of money to claim before starting the filing process.
So, if you’re searching for the right lawyer for your VCF claim, you can check out comprehensive attorney profiles online to get more information and make the hiring process smooth.
- Make The Claims Process Easier And Faster
With many application forms filed with VCF, you can’t expect a quick resolution of your claims. There may be instances when your claim isn’t handled as quickly as possible due to errors in the application form, lack of supporting evidence, and other similar problems.
Hence, it can be a better idea to hire lawyers to handle your 9/11 VCF claim. They’re familiar with how the claims process works, including the documentary requirements that need to be complied with. With them at your side, you can save yourself from hassle, which helps you get compensated for your losses in time.
- Get The Most Out Of Your Claim’s Value
Sometimes, the lack of proper documentation may provide the VCF enough ground to deny or diminish the value of your claim. Unless you’re a legal expert, you certainly need a lawyer to help you maximize your claim. As they’re experienced professionals, they can easily navigate complicated issues on your VCF claim.
Suppose the evidence you submitted is insufficient to prove you’re suffering from a 9/11-related health condition which results in the denial of your claim. In that case, lawyers can step in. They can provide more valuable evidence or prepare a complete claims form that helps improve your chances of winning your claim and obtaining fair compensation for your losses.
Reasons For Not Hiring A VCF Lawyer
While there are fundamental reasons for hiring a lawyer, it’s also crucial to know the disadvantages of having one in your corner for your VCF claim. That way, you’ll find out if legal assistance is, indeed, required for your situation. The following are some common reasons for not needing legal help:
- Can Be Expensive
One of the downsides of having a legal professional by your side is the expensive fees you’re going to pay for handling your case. Depending on the lawyer you choose and the complexity of your claim, you may get into financial trouble for spending much money on their services.
Thus, if you want to save yourself from a potential financial problem, ask the lawyers about their fee structure. In doing so, you’ll know whether hiring one for your VCF claim is more beneficial than handling the case on your own.
- Not All Lawyers Are Experienced And Competent
Although working with a lawyer proves to be beneficial in claims processes, not all of these professionals are experienced and competent enough to help you get a more favorable outcome. For instance, if you’ve hired the wrong one, your claim may be in huge trouble. When this happens, a lawyer for your VCF claim may not be a good option for your situation.
Bottom Line
Typically, nothing can compensate for the loss of life and the pain and suffering of those who survived the terrorist attacks. However, the money that the victims can gain from VCF can provide them with the means to slowly recover and get back on their feet.
Therefore, if you’re a victim of the September 11th attacks, keep the information mentioned above in mind to determine if a lawyer is necessary or not for your claim. That way, you’ll know what it takes to improve your chances of getting quick approval.