Parker Waichman LLP, a national law firm that has spent many years fighting to ensure that the first responders and survivors of the 9/11 terrorist attacks are never forgotten, comments that the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) has posted updates on its Information for Law Firms page. The fund has posted notes from a [March 24, 2016 VCF meeting](http://www.vcf.gov/pdf/LawFirmUpdateMar2016.pdf) with law firms and a document entitled Information for Surrogates and Probate Courts: VCF Treatment of Letters of Administration or Other Court Orders Providing Limitations on the Authority of a Personal RepresentativeEffect on Group A Payments. This document may be printed and taken to court.
The VCF and the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program were established through the Zadroga Act, which was reauthorized at the end of 2015. The VCF provides compensation to responders and survivors while the WTC Health Program provides medical treatment and monitoring. The Zadroga Act was reauthorized through years of effort and advocacy, said Matthew J. McCauley, Senior Litigation Counsel at Parker Waichman. These programs are vital to the health and well-being of our 9/11 heroes and survivors.
According to a [March 1, 2016 message from Special Master Sheila Birnbaum](http://www.vcf.gov/groupaupdatemar2016.html), more than 1,000 payments totaling over $233.4 million have been authorized as of February 29, 2016. The fund surpassed its first interim target of authorizing 1,000 full payments, Ms. Birnbaum noted.
The initial Zadroga Act was passed in 2010; it established the WTC Health Program offering medical care and monitoring to responders and survivors. The Zadroga Act also reopened the VCF for an additional five years. The reauthorization, which was signed into law on December 18, 2015, funds the WTC Health Program for another 75 years and extends the VCF for another five years. Parker Waichman actively worked toward the 2010 passage of the Zadroga Act, including taking part in lobbying efforts and trips to the nation's capital, often along with the firm's clientsother responders and survivors. Parker Waichman fought for permanent extension of the Act, taking part in numerous lobbying efforts and being part of delegations and remains dedicated to fighting for the rights of responders and survivors. In fact, Parker Waichman assisted with the research on, and creation of the Take Acton tool that enabled citizens to review Congress members' activities concerning the Act prior to its passage.
The firm stands alongside Ground Zero first responders, survivors, and advocates and vows to continue its efforts to safeguard these heroes and ensure that all of the deserved Zadroga Act compensation is received. To determine eligibility for compensation under the Act, or for assistance with a claim, please [visit Parker Waichman's website or call](http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/zadroga-act-wtc-world-trade-center-claims-lawyer-attorney-lawsuit) 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636).
