9/11 Health Claims CEO Quits After a Decade

9/11 health claims CEO Christine LaSala recently quit after 10 years of work. LaSala managed the $1 billion federal fund that handled claims related to the cleanup at Ground Zero.

The CEO was no stranger to controversy, as she faced a great deal of criticism regarding her salary as president and CEO of WTC Captive Insurance Co. Between 2007 and 2007, she earned $350,000 a year. The New York Post first revealed her salary in 2008, which caused many critics to point out that she commanded this large salary while fighting claims made by critically ill 9/11 first responders. Following this reveal, LaSala stepped down from her post, but she returned after only a few months and announced that she would voluntarily take a pay cut. Thereafter, she made $234,500 plus health benefits.

Captive paid out more than $668 million in a 2010 settlement of 10,000 claims from rescue workers who were involved at Ground Zero. The controversy did not end here. This past year, The Post reported the health claims agency was wasting huge amounts of taxpayer money on staff members who served basically no role in the company. Finally, on June 30, 2014, LaSala officially resigned her post.

There are still three suits pending against Captive. Last year, former Mayor Bloomberg proposed that the Captive be shut down and $270 million turned over to Warren Buffett’s holding company. Mayor deBlasio has not yet acted on this proposal. As of June 30^th, Captive had $326.7 million. Some are calling for this money to be added to the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund that offers both medical assistance and cash payments to 9/11 responders and others impacted by the attacks.

To learn more about the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund, contact the dedicated New York personal injury lawyers at Barasch, McGarry Salzman & Penson.