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Damaged heroes of 9/11 are offered a share of $675m in final payoff

13 March 2010 23:51 (UTC +04:00)

Baku â€“ APA. One million dollars for cancer, APA reports quoting timesonline.co.uk web-page. Two million dollars for death. Nothing for emotional distress. That is the rough outline of a legal settlement for more than 10,000 rescue and clean-up workers exposed to toxic dust at Ground Zero in the wake of the September 11 terror attacks in New York.

The offer, which promises to end a massive legal battle, sets aside up to $675 million (Â£445 million) to pay compensation on a sliding scale reportedly starting at $3,200. As much as a third of the total could go in lawyersâ€™ fees.

It would end legal action by the thousands of firefighters, paramedics and construction workers hailed as heroes for rushing to the scene in 2001 of the worst terror attack in American history. Many of those who searched and cleared up the debris from the collapse of the 110-storey twin towers later complained of respiratory problems and other ailments.

The New York Coroner has added two people who died from dust-related illnesses to the official death toll of 2,752. The coronerâ€™s office reversed a ruling that James Zadroga, a retired New York detective, died from exposure to toxic dust, saying that his improper use of prescription drugs had exacerbated his lung disease.

Many workers received compensation from the Government in the immediate aftermath of the attack but its compensation fund expired in December 2003, before others exhibited symptoms. More than 10,000 rescue and recovery workers have since filed suit against New York City for sending them to the site without proper protective equipment.

At least one of the claimants, Raymond Hauber, a firefighter, died of throat cancer that he blamed on the conditions at Ground Zero, before his case could come to trial.

James Nolan, 45, a carpenter, said that he developed lung and leg problems while helping to retrieve bodies and building ramps at the World Trade Centre site. He sued the city six years ago, claiming that it knew the air was toxic. â€œWeâ€™ve had to fight for what we deserve. Iâ€™m glad itâ€™s coming to an end,â€ he said.

The offer was made only weeks before the first 12 lawsuits were to come to trial on May 16. Claimants have 90 days to decide to opt in to the settlement, releasing the city from any other liability. It becomes active if more than 95 per cent of them agree.

â€œItâ€™s a good settlement for everybody,â€ Michael Bloomberg, the New York Mayor, said yesterday on his weekly radio show. â€œItâ€™s fair and reasonable given the circumstances. Weâ€™ve been working on this for a long time.â€