Thousands of workers who suffered health problems after the 11 September terrorist attacks in New York in 2001 have reached a settlement worth over $650m with an insurer representing the city.
Firefighters, police officers, contractors and others who worked at 'Ground Zero' in the ruins of the World Trade Centre, sued the city of New York and its contractors over injuries associated with their rescue and clean-up work.
The parties will appear before a US federal judge today to request preliminary approval of the settlement.
Individual claims will range from thousands of dollars to more than $1m, a source familiar with the settlement told Reuters.
The plaintiffs will have 90 days to review the deal and decide whether to participate.
The agreement requires 95% of the plaintiffs agree to the settlement, WTC Captive Insurance said.
‘We have reached a settlement that is fair under difficult and complicated circumstances,’ said Christine LaSala, president of WTC Captive, which holds $1bn in federal funds.
‘This agreement enables workers and volunteers claiming injury from the WTC site operations to obtain compensation commensurate with the nature of their injuries and the strength of their claims, while offering added protection against possible future illness.’
‘The resolution of the World Trade Center litigation will allow the first responders and workers to be compensated for injuries suffered following their work at Ground Zero,' said New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
‘This settlement is a fair and reasonable resolution to a complex set of circumstances.’
Plaintiffs, who must submit sworn evidence of their injuries or illness, have 90 days to review the settlement and decide whether to accept.
