9/11 Health Vote Pushed Back; Federal Judge Urges Sick Responders To Accept Legal Settlement
The U.S House is expected to vote on the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act on Thursday, advocates said, one day before Congress recesses and one day after supporters hoped it would have been passed.
The legislation, the first that would provide sick ground zero rescue and recovery workers permanent funding for health care and compensation, will be posted as a "suspension bill," or under suspension of House rules, a move normally reserved for the last days of a congressional session to approve non-controversial bills quickly. However, advocates fear the bill will not receive enough votes under the "suspension" rules, leaving the legislation hanging until September.
Meantime, the federal judge overseeing the $700 million settlement offer is advising the more than 10,000 9/11 responders who say they were sickened by ground zero toxins to accept the deal. Ninety-five percent of plaintiffs must approve the settlement to make it official, avoiding the uncertainty of a trial in the class-action lawsuit against the federal government.
"There are certain plaintiffs who have very difficult times with their medical and scientific proof. There are certain plaintiffs that are not that sick. There are certain people who actually were sick before hand who had asthma or cigarette smokers," said attorney David Worby, the lead counsel in the lawsuit, who said individual circumstances will dictate whether a plaintiff will accept the offer.
"The judge is in favor of this, Ken Feinberg is in favor of it, the special master is in favor of it. Everyone recognizes the difficulty with the immunity issues that would occur during a trial. It is possible these people will get nothing," he added. Plaintiffs face a September deadline to make their decision.
Anyone who accepts the legal settlement would be ineligible for compensation under the Zadroga Act but would remain eligible for the health care provision.
Copyright 2010 by Millennium Radio New Jersey. All Rights Reserved.
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