78 Ground Zero Cleanup Workers Settle Claims

A federal judge recently approved settlements brought forth by 78 different workers who helped to clean up the debris at Ground Zero in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The workers all suffered from a variety of conditions caused by the toxic dust floating in the air after buildings in the area collapsed.

The plaintiffs had sued 345 different building tenants, owners and contractors, as well as various other stakeholders, for compensation for their conditions, which included various respiratory afflictions (such as asthma), dizziness and more.

No terms of the settlement were released after the judge’s decision. However, approximately one third of the original set of plaintiffs, who number more than 1,000, have now settled their cases. There are still about 500 plaintiffs left who are awaiting their day in court.

Long-lasting impacts

For many people who were exposed to the toxins in the air at Ground Zero, these health conditions do not actually manifest themselves until many years after the fact. This is especially true for respiratory conditions and certain types of cancers, which can have a long latency period. For this reason, there are still many brand new cases coming to light involving people whose conditions were initially caused by exposure in the days and weeks after the 9/11 attacks.

Individuals who have injuries or illnesses caused by such exposure may be able to benefit from compensation under the Zadroga Act. For more information on whether you qualify for benefits, speak with an experienced New York lawyer at Barasch, McGarry, Salzman & Penson today.