An amended settlement was tentatively reached on behalf of thousands of first responders to the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, CNN reported. The amended settlement raises the total compensation for sick first responders from the $625 million proposed in March to $712 million, capping attorney fees to 25 percent of the total.
WTC workers claiming severe respiratory problems contracted within seven months of WTC site exposure qualify for up to $1.05 million; those not suffering now but with a legal claim to future suffering are entitled to $3,250; and death claims proven to be caused by the post-attack operations may claim $1.5 million.
If you are ill or believe you may have been exposed and have not yet filed a claim, it may be in your best interest to contact a New York injury lawyer.
New York congresswoman Carolyn Maloney offered her support for the settlement:
"I applaud Judge Hellerstein and the attorneys on both sides for going back to the bargaining table to offer more help to those who lost their health because of the attacks on America."
A public hearing is scheduled for June 23, which is open to all parties involved in the settlement. Plaintiffs, of which 95 percent must agree in order for the settlement to be finalized, have until Sept. 30 to review it.
New York injury lawyers representing the plaintiffs originally sought a lawyer fee cap of 33 percent, according to NBC New York, so the newly proposed settlement reduces their payday by more than $50 million.
And the federally created Captive Fund, established specifically to compensate 9/11 victims, has agreed to add an additional $50 million for victim compensation and may bump it up by as much as $100 million (depending on the number of claimants).
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