After years of negotiations, the city and first responders who worked at the World Trade Center site after the 9/11 attacks have agreed to a $712.5 million settlement for the over 10,000 plaintifs. According to WTC Captive Insurance Company, which was formed by the city and over 140 contractors to proceed with the claims, the new deal added $125 million more by reducing the lawyers' fees by $50+ million, paying another $50-55 million from the WTC Captive Insurance Company and waiving some workers' comp liens "against the settlement recovery of certain plaintiffs and ensuring that their benefits continue in the future without interruption or reduction." Additionally, "Plaintiffs who allege the most serious injuries will receive the majority of the increased payments."
A prior settlement was around $575-600 million, but federal district judge Alvin Hellerstein objected to it, given the high legal fees and small average payouts to those sickened by toxic conditions at Ground Zero. Today he said, "This is a very good deal. I am very excited about this deal," and believes the plaintiffs will be "assured of a fair deal that puts money in their hand fast." However, 95% of the plaintiffs must opt in; Hellerstein said, "There is no better deal. This is the deal on the table."
