9/11 rescue workers affected by dust compensated with $657.5m
9/11 rescue workers offered $657.5 million in compensation after sickness caused from falling dust
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Friday, 12, Mar 2010 01:05
By Sarah Garrod.
Rescue workers in New York City following the September 11th terrorist attacks have been offered $657.5 million in compensation, it has been revealed.
The funds were paid out after it was revealed that 10,000 plaintiffs were made ill from the dust created when the Twin Towers collapsed in 2001 when terrorists hijacked two planes and flew them into the buildings.
The compensation, which equates to around £437 million, was announced last night by the World Trade Centre Captive Insurance Company. For the deal to actually take affect the plaintiffs must agree - by a 95 per cent majority - to accept the compensation, and it must also be approved by a judge.
The clouds which engulfed the city following the collapse of the buildings were thick with lead, glass, cement and asbestos.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg called the settlement "a fair and reasonable resolution to a complex set of circumstances".
"The resolution of the World Trade Centre litigation will allow the first responders and workers to be compensated for injuries suffered following their work at Ground Zero," he added.
The compensation, if accepted, will be divided in accordance with plaintiffs' injuries. Most of the funds will come from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.