BY Samuel Goldsmith and Scott Shifrel
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS
Originally Published:Thursday, June 10th 2010, 12:26 PM
Updated: Friday, June 11th 2010, 2:26 AM
Sept. 11 first responders and cleanup workers will receive more cash on a revamped deal
A beefed-up settlement for 9/11 rescue and cleanup workers was unveiled Thursday, with more cash for the sick and less money for the lawyers.
The pact must be approved by 95% of the plaintiffs - but it already has the blessing of the federal judge who rejected the last offering as too paltry.
"This is a very good deal," Manhattan Federal Judge Alvin Hellerstein said, announcing details hashed out over three months.
"It's not a perfect settlement. There is no better deal. This is the deal on the table."
The Daily News has long campaigned for better treatment of the 10,000 workers who toiled at Ground Zero after the terror attacks. They could split an extra $125 million.
Key points of the deal include:
- A total maximum payout of $712.5 million, up from $657 million in the last offer.
- Lawyers cut their fees from 33% to 25%, a difference of about $50 million.
- More money for the sickest, up to $2 million for tumors.
- It's unclear if taking this money would make workers ineligible for a proposed federal fund.
Several workers said they were surprised by the announcement - and were on the fence.
"They're adding $125 million. You know what $125 million is for 10,000 plaintiffs? That's only $12,000 each. Do you think that's good enough money for people sick and dying?" said retired Firefighter Keith Delmar, 35, who has asthma and other illnesses.
Workers have until Sept. 30 to approve the deal.
The settlement uses a point system based on severity and the type of medical problem, time spent working at the site and past health and smoking history.
Those who simply fear getting sick because of their work would get $3,250, while those with crippling respiratory illnesses could get $1 million. There would be a $1.5 million death benefit.
Kenneth Feinberg, former special master for the fund for those killed Sept. 11, 2001, will oversee the claims. He said this deal has quicker payouts and guaranteed minimums. "You've waited long enough," Feinberg said. "This is a real settlement, for real money."
sshifrel@nydailynews.com
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