FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE THURSDAY, APRIL 1, 2004 WWW.USDOJ.GOV CIV (202) 514-2007 TDD (202) 514-1888 WASHINGTON, D.C. - The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund has paid out more than $2.6 billion to date, the Special Master for the fund, Kenneth Feinberg, announced today. Under the provisions of the congressionally-created fund, eligibility is limited to those victims (or the family members of deceased victims) who were present at the sites of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and who were killed or physically injured.
The Fund, enacted by Congress and signed into law by President Bush on Sept. 24, 2001, received 7,371 claims by the Dec. 22, 2003 deadline. Of the total claims, 2,969 were received from families of those killed.
The average amount of compensation paid to date to the families of deceased victims is $1.8 million. Individual death compensation amounts have ranged from $250,000 to $7 million. Those physically injured as a result of the attacks have received Fund compensation ranging from $500 to $7.9 million.
The Special Master said he anticipates that his office will have processed all eligible claims by June 15, 2004.
Feinberg, a Washington, D.C. attorney specializing in mediation, arbitration and negotiation, was named Special Master on Nov. 26, 2001 by Attorney General John Ashcroft to administer and oversee the Fund. 04-207
Source: US Department of Justice
