NYC Mayor Bloomberg urges ground zero workers to settle lawsuits over World Trade Center dust

NYC mayor urges settlement of 9/11 health claims

NEW YORK — New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg says ground zero workers should avoid a court battle and settle lawsuits over health problems caused by World Trade Center dust.

Lawyers for about 10,000 workers tentatively worked out a settlement last spring with New York City and contractors. It could be worth $625 million to $712.5 million, but it takes effect only if 95 percent of plaintiffs say yes.

Bloomberg and 9/11 claims overseer Kenneth Feinberg on Tuesday repeated their plea for workers to settle.

Bloomberg says the alternate solution is a protracted court battle. He says he doesn’t want to fight with responders he considers heroes.

Some workers with respiratory problems would qualify for tens of thousands of dollars in compensation. A few with more serious illnesses linked to the dust could get $1 million or more.