Lawyers representing the city and more than 10,000 ground zero rescue, recovery and debris removal workers reached a tentative settlement that will give them a range from US$575 million to US$657 million. If the judge approves the settlement the federal taxpayer-funded WTC Captive Insurance Co. will pay it. The plaintiffs filed a lawsuit against the city, claiming that "they had been sent to ground zero without proper protective equipment."
"The proposal, presented yesterday to Manhattan federal judge Alvin Hellerstein, must be approved by 95 percent of the firefighters, cops, medics and hardhats who were sickened by working in the toxic debris," mentions one source. "We've had to fight for what we deserve. I'm glad it's coming to an end where I can feel a little comfortable if I pass away my wife and kids can get something," says James Nolan, 45, a carpenter who worked at ground zero and developed lung and leg problems for which he needs to take six different types of medication.
With a confirmation of illness, each worker would get a "sum based on the type and severity of his or her medical problem," and some of the payment is reserved for the insurance policy that would cover ground zero-related illnesses that have not yet developed. A "severity chart" has been created to measure the damage of the illnesses that each individual has and the payments can be as high as $1 million. But without confirmation, workers can still collect the minimum amount of $3,200. People suffering from stress-related or psychological problems such as traumas will not receive compensation from this settlement.
