The term "September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act" is a proper noun. It functions as the specific title of a piece of United States federal legislation. As a proper noun, it names a singular, unique entitythe law establishing a specific administrative program. The core of the phrase is the noun "Act," which is modified by the preceding words that specify its subject matter: providing compensation through a fund for victims of the September 11th attacks.
This legislation originally established the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) in 2001 as an alternative to tort litigation for individuals who suffered physical harm or for the families of those killed in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The initial fund (VCF1) operated until 2004. Recognizing the latent health consequences for first responders and survivors exposed to toxins at the attack sites, Congress passed the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act in 2010, which reactivated the fund (VCF2) and expanded eligibility. Subsequent reauthorizations have extended its operations and funding, culminating in the 2019 "Never Forget the Heroes Act," which fully funded the VCF and extended its claim filing deadline to October 1, 2090.
The practical application of this Act is the creation and administration of a no-fault compensation program. Claimants who can demonstrate they were present at one of the attack sites within a specified timeframe and have been diagnosed with a certified physical health condition are eligible to receive awards for both economic and non-economic losses. By accepting an award from the fund, claimants waive their right to file civil lawsuits related to the attacks. This legislative framework serves the dual purpose of providing a streamlined compensation process for victims while shielding airlines and other entities from potentially debilitating litigation that could have destabilized the economy after the attacks.
