09/11/2026
Today, on the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, the National Association of Forensic Economics (NAFE) joins the nation in remembering the nearly 3,000 lives lost, their families and loved ones, and all those whose lives were forever changed by the attacks.
In the aftermath of 9/11, forensic economists were called upon to contribute their expertise to an unprecedented undertaking: the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund.
NAFE members played an important role in assisting the Fund and its Special Master, Kenneth R. Feinberg, with the complex economic issues involved in developing a fair and consistent framework for estimating the economic losses suffered by victims and their families.
The work required the application of many of the principles at the heart of forensic economics—including the estimation of lifetime earnings, employment benefits, worklife expectancy, personal consumption, and other components of economic loss. It demonstrated how our profession can contribute not only in the courtroom, but also in helping address extraordinary public challenges.
Twenty-five years later, NAFE remembers the victims and honors their families. We are also proud of the contribution forensic economists made to one of the most consequential compensation programs in American history.
We will never forget September 11, 2001.
