NYC, contractors appeal 9/11 claims ruling

April 15, 2010|Associated Press

NEW YORK — The city and contractors who handled the cleanup of the World Trade Center site after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, yesterday notified a court they are appealing a judge’s decision to block a $575 million settlement of claims by thousands of people who became ill.

Lawyers for the city and the contractors filed papers with the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit to challenge several orders by US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein that had the effect of blocking implementation of the deal.

Hellerstein demanded changes in the settlement, including adding millions of dollars more for the sick and reducing legal fees.

The judge said he had a moral obligation to the 9/11 workers.

James E. Tyrrell Jr., an attorney for the city and the contractors it hired after the terrorist attacks, said Hellerstein’s orders were “impeding the progress we have made and are destroying the ability to provide compensation now to deserving plaintiffs through a settlement process.’’

He added, “We believe the judge does not have the legal authority to order the terms of a settlement for these parties.’’

Hellerstein said he was breaking with legal tradition because judges usually do not interfere with private settlements.

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