Around 10,000 firefighters, construction workers, police officers and others who suffered injuries while helping with the rescue and debris removal efforts after 9/11 could receive up to $712.5 million in a new personal injury compensation settlement revealed yesterday.
This revised compensation pact address a long standing legal issue where some of the helpers from the rescue mission were excluded from receiving compensation as their injuries/problems arose after the initial compensation fund had closed in 2003.
This new settlement increases the proposed compensation from $657 million to $712.5 million.
Workers will receive compensation based on the severity of the injury they suffered. For example, a non smoking worker who developed a respiratory problem from working on the 9/11 rescue operations could receive between $800,000 and $1 million.
Workers who didn't suffer a qualifying injury but had a legal claim for the fear of becoming sick, could be awarded up to $3,250.
Paul J. Napoli, whose personal injury firm represents around 9,000 of the plaintiffs looking for compensation, said the new pact was "bigger and better".
In order for this new pact to come into affect, 95% of the plaintiffs must accept it.
The plaintiffs don't have to come to a decision on whether to accept the pact or reject until September 30th, so there is plenty of time for them to analyze the pact.