Eye injury - 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund claims

Types, symptoms, and causes of eye injuries among 9/11 victims

According to a 2020 study, in dangerous situations like war zones, nearly 16% of people taken to hospitals had eye injuries. This is similar to what many people experienced after the 9/11 incident. Debris, toxic dust, and other hazards in the exposure zone caused severe eye injuries to rescue staff and civilians.

There are various kinds of eye injuries. If your healthcare provider diagnosed you with one of the types listed below, then you may be eligible for a claim under the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund.

• Black eye or periorbital hematoma (bruising around the eye area)
• Blunt eye trauma (damage to eye structures, including broken orbital bones or injury to the eye’s soft tissue)
• Eye burns (damage to the eye caused by coming in contact with hazardous substances)
• Eye scratches or corneal abrasions
• Foreign body injuries (injuries caused by particles that lodged in the eye)
• Penetrating injuries (injuries caused by sharp objects that puncture the eye)

Eye injury symptoms may vary depending on its severity and type. The following are the common manifestations of eye injuries:

• Sudden vision changes like blurred or loss of vision
• Severe eye pain
• Bleeding in the eye area
• Eye deformity

People present during and after the Twin Towers tragedy may have suffered from eye injuries. Survivors and rescue personnel could have sustained eye injuries due to environmental exposure during and after the World Trade Center terrorist attacks, such as the following:

• Flying debris of metal and glass shards, concrete rubble, and other sharp and heavy objects.
• Pulverized concrete dust that was thrown into the air
• Toxic chemicals such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and asbestos
• Smoke and toxic fumes

Financial assistance for eye injuries related to the 9/11 events

Eye injuries are painful and, in some cases, life-altering. People with severe eye injuries may have lost their ability to see or have permanent vision impairments. This is the case for several 9/11 survivors, emergency response team members, and other victims. Suffering from an eye injury has changed not only their livelihood but also their quality of life.

The hardships and sufferings of the 9/11 victims do not go unnoticed. The U.S. government launched the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF), which serves 9/11 victims by providing monetary support for medical, healthcare, and rehabilitation costs. The financial aid also aims to cover lost wages resulting from a person’s inability to work due to an injury.

The VCF is a great help to the victims, so if you sustained eye injuries as a result of exposure to 9/11 trauma, contact us today. Our experienced and committed legal team can help you file your 9/11 VCF claim for eye injuries.