New Settlement Offered to Workers Injured at Ground Zero

October 20, 2010

A $712.5 million settlement has been offered to rescue and recovery workers that were injured or killed while working at ground zero in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. The settlement offers $125 million more in compensation than the last offer, with attorneys' fees capped at 25 percent of the total amount.

The Proposed Settlement

Workers afflicted with respiratory issues within seven months of toxic exposure to airborne particles at ground zero are set to receive from $800,000 to $1.05 million in compensation. Wrongful death claims proven to be caused by operations conducted in the aftermath of 9/11 could receive up to $1.5 million.

Roughly 2,800 plaintiffs do not yet have an injury serious enough to qualify for compensation, yet it is certainly possible that these workers will develop a medical condition. If a worker develops certain kinds of cancers, for example, the settlement would provide a capped health insurance policy; many other types of injuries developed in the future would not qualify for compensation.

94 percent of the settlement funds will go to the half of the plaintiffs with the most serious injuries.

Reactions to the Proposal

Many of the 10,500 plaintiffs included in the settlement offer are insulted and would like to see more money paid out in compensation, especially for fatalities caused by the attack and the aftermath.

Manhattan District Court Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein is presiding over the cases and has encouraged the plaintiffs to accept the proposed settlement, describing it as imperfect, but reasonable. Plaintiffs have been advised not to go to trial due to estimated costs of $50,000 to $150,000, excluding attorneys' fees.

95 percent of the plaintiffs must sign on to the settlement by November 8 for the plan to go into effect. If the settlement is finalized, compensation will begin going out to the plaintiffs in November.

Article provided by The Perecman Firm, P.L.L.C.
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