9/11 Bladder Cancer Victims Entitled to Compensation

Bladder Cancer at a Glance

The bladder is a hollow organ in the lower abdomen that stores urine until the body releases it.  There are three types of bladder cancer – transitional cell carcinoma (the most common), squamous cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma (the least common). The most common signs of bladder cancer are severe pain and bleeding while urinating.

9/11 WTC Exposure Increases Bladder Cancer Risk

The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund compensates WTC first responders, office workers, and downtown residents with bladder cancer for several reasons.

First, high concentrations of arsenic were present in 9/11 dust and debris. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), National Toxicology Program (NTP), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) all classify arsenic as a known human carcinogen that may lead to the development of bladder cancer.  Although Americans have exposure to small amounts of arsenic in food and drinking water (mostly in its non-dangerous organic form), 9/11 responders and survivors had exposure to massive amounts of arsenic in the clouds of dust and debris resulting from the Twin Towers’ collapse.

Additionally, the WTC Health Program found strong evidence that aromatic amines can lead to bladder cancer. Aromatic amines are compounds that are used to manufacture  polyurethane and other industrial chemicals.  These compounds were present at Ground Zero.  In fact, a 2003 study of 590 workers exposed to aromatic amines found their mortality rate was 67% higher than expected. While researchers expected approximately 263 deaths  in the group of exposed workers, 394 of the workers died by 2003.  Moreover, researchers observed 56 deaths from bladder cancer, whereas they only expected three or four.

Based in part on these findings, the Victim Compensation Fund and World Trade Center Health Program included bladder cancer on their list of covered cancers.

Thus, as of June 30, 2016, there are 192 individuals (171 WTC responders and 21 survivors) certified for treatment of bladder cancer by the WTC Health Program.

Free Consultation with a 9/11 Lawyer

Borri Law Offices has more than 20 years’ experience with cancer cases. Furthermore, it has collected millions of dollars of awards for 9/11 responders, office workers, and residents stricken with cancer. So, if you or a loved one has cancer or recently passed away of cancer, you may be entitled to compensation.

Call Borri Law Offices for a free consultation with a 9/11 lawyer.

Or, submit the Request Consultation Form, and we will contact you at your convenience.

Sources

http://www.cancer.gov/types/bladder/patient/bladder-treatment-pdq

http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/othercarcinogens/intheworkplace/arsenic

http://dceg.cancer.gov/research/what-we-study/environment/drinking-water-contaminants

https://www.cdc.gov/wtc/pdfs/wtchpminlatcancer2013-05-01.pdf

http://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/content/102/14/1096.long

http://www.cdc.gov/wtc/ataglance.html#top15Cancers