N001610
Monday, January 14, 2002 5:45 PM
September 11 Victims Compensation Fund Comment
Importance: High
I was seriously injured during the attack on the Pentagon on 9-11-01 and
spent 7 days in the hospital and another 30 days confined to home health
care. I received second and third degree burns on my head and both arms.
My concern is that there is no specific information in the interim rule that
gives seriously injured personnel a basis of whether to enter the Sep 11
Victims Compensation Fund program. As written, the special master will
determine the award of serious injured personnel on a case by case basis. I
believe this process is not fair and serious injured personnel must have an
idea or a minimum amount of compensation they can expect before they make a
decision to enter the program and forego any right to sue a later date or to
decide to litigate in court.
The formulas for individuals who lost a loved one are clear and would give
the families of the victims a basis for a decision to enter the program. No
such information or guidance exists for seriously injured personnel that my
have long term health concerns subject the injuries they received on
9-11-01. I strongly recommend that the special master include in a revision
of the final rules of this program specific amounts for non-economic losses
for seriously injured personnel if they decide to enter the program. The
definition of seriously injured (being hospitalized for a period of 7 days
or more) or those who have developed a temporary or permanent disability can
be a start point to what personnel will be eligible for the minimum amount
of non-economic loss. BOTTOM LINE: Seriously injured personnel need more
specific guidance in the final rule to determine whether to enter the
program or not.
Individual Comment
Springfield, VA