September 11′s Neglected Heroes Finally Receive Settlement

The lead story in The New York Times this morning, “Sept. 11 Workers Agree to Settle Health Lawsuits,” describes a reluctant agreement by New York City to compensate September 11 rescue workers who suffer from deteriorating health as a result of breathing the smoky air from the smoldering remains of the World Trade Center.

The settlement took more than seven years to reach, an inexcusable foot-dragging by the city, and it will incorporate more than 10,000 workers. The size of the settlement is more than $625 million, and it received the 95 percent agreement required from the workers in order to validate it.

Awards are divided into four tiers depending on the severity of the injury and amount of exposure to the air, and the lawyers will receive a 25 percent share, down from one-third after the judge intervened regarding a previous settlement in March.

According to the article, Judge Alvin Hellersttein emerged as a champion of the 9/11 victims, unlike New York City who was responsible for their exposure in the first place when it asserted at the time that there was no danger. The Mayor, Michael Bloomberg, tried to insert himself to get credit for the settlement, but he deserves none because his administration fought the workers every step of the way.

Meanwhile, there is another bill going through Congress regarding national healthcare for the 9-1-1 workers, but with the Republicans in control of the House, it has little chance of passage.