The Rand Institute for Civil Justice has released a report documenting the payouts to families of victims of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The 173-page report, entitled 'Compensation for Losses from the 9/11 Attacks,' indicates that, in all, over $38 billion dollars was disbursed to families of those killed or seriously injured as well as to businesses that were affected by the events of that date.

The report breaks down the way the money was allocated and from what sources it was derived. A little over half of the amount came from insurance companies with another 42 percent from state and federal government. Of the monies derived from insurance companies, over $23 billion went directly to businesses that were forced to close or otherwise affected.

Families of emergency personnel received the most money; nearly $1 million dollars more than others who were killed that day, averaging $4.2 million. This was due to an enormous outpouring of donations totaling $500 million dollars that was earmarked for this group. Other victims’ families received approximately $3.1 million dollars. An additional $3.5 billion was paid to compensate people who lost their jobs or homes as well as to emergency responders who may have been exposed to environmental hazards.

The report considers all sources of funding including the federal Victim Compensation Fund. It does not consider pending lawsuits or continuing insurance disputes, not does it cover the $11 billion paid to New York by the federal government to help clean up the area and pay overtime and transportation. It does, however, provide a detailed and thorough accounting of the economic impact of September 11, far better than has been done by any federal agency to date.