Disability Law

9/11 Victim Compensation Fund Lawyer Selection Process Complicated by FealGood Foundation

By Troy Rosasco

No one will say that John Feal was not a tireless and successful advocate, among others, for the recent passage of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010. We all owe this hero a debt of gratitude.

Unfortunately, Mr. Feal is now in the business of trying to recommend 9/11 Zadroga Claim lawyers.  Respectfully, he should stick to what he does best - legislative advocacy.  Mr. Feal's recent press releases regarding the attorney selection process for Zadroga 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund claims  only serve to confuse the population he intends to help.  

On December 28th, he told 9/11 victims:

"There is no need to do this with urgency, none whatsoever. So please be patient, and don't sign any documents with any attorney, until you have shopped and found the best possible attorney for you and your family."

Mr. Feal stated that he was planning on putting together a one-day seminar in February, perhaps to be held at Nassau Coliseum, for 9/11 victims to meet and evaluate potential Zadroga 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund lawyers.  We agreed with Mr. Feal and posted our opinions on the Zadroga 9/11 Lawyer controversy here.

Now, strangely, Mr. Feal has reversed himself and is urging 9/11 victims and first responders to contact  "as soon as possible" a specific lawyer who will then direct the victim to another  lawyer for Zadroga Victim Compensation Fund representation. 

Why?  Does it have anything to do with the fact that this specific lawyer  sits on the FealGood Foundation Board?  Does the FealGood Foundation, its Board Members or its officers directly, or indirectly, benefit from this new "lawyer referral " service?   More importantly, does it lead to the best legal representation possible for 9/11 victims?

Now lawyer websites are popping up like weeds advertising through Google as "endorsed by the FealGood Foundation".  This only hurts Mr. Feal and his Foundation's own credibility. You must draw your own conclusions regarding his "about face".  Sometimes our heroes can disappoint us.  It should not be this difficult or confusing.

Again, as we have previously stated and will continue to do so, there is no rush to hire an attorney to represent you before the 9/11 Victims' Compensation Fund.  It is unlikely that any claimant will be able to file a claim prior to this July. 

Get as much information as you can about your rights under the Zadroga 9/11 Act prior to even contacting a lawyer.  Click the following link for helpful information on Zadroga 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund claims.  Then contact and speak to a lawyer (owner) who will actually be handling your case rather than passing you off to another law firm. 

There are some cases that will not require attorney representation, avoiding the associated 10% legal fee. There are other cases that will.  The key is to know the difference.

If you have any questions, call Troy Rosasco at  1-855-982-4636 x123.

Full post as published by The New York Disability Law Blog on January 12, 2011 (boomark / email).