9/11 settlement

[yabadabapal]

Today Friday the 12th of March is a day that more than 10,000 emergency responders in the 9/11 tragedy will hear the final decision in regard to the class action suit, regarding medical problems that have or will most likely occur as a result of working in the World Trade Center 9/11 collapse. Im not sure but I remember the sum of about 700 million dollars as an acceptable offer. If you do the math, it spins out at about 70,000 bucks per responder. That in and of itself is nothing more than a gesture in comparison to the potential for medical bills that my be forthcoming for many. The good news however is that the settlement figure also includes an unlimited additional portion for medical costs that may arise due to as of yet unforeseen and likely to occur conditions. That’s included in the insurance plan attached to the settlement on top of the 700 million. And the 700 million wont be divided like a winning lottery ticket. Each plaintiff will have to submit complete medical history and more, and will be evaluated on an individual basis by a panel that will determine the appropriate amount for each responder on a case by case matter. And yes they are expecting some fraudulent attempts but few and far between the many who deserve, and will need help for now and in the future. It literally was a war zone and the many police, firefighters, medics, and other responders entered the war zone without concern for their own safety and willing to risk their lives as many did while being unprepared due to the immediacy of the situation. No amount of money is going to be enough to help save some of these great people who have become very ill. The 700 million and the aforementioned insurance attachment is just the beginning of a very long journey for many of these heroes.

Hope all you BMWST folks are doing well. Im back in town for a few days and catching up.

[pbharvey]

I'm not taking sides but I don't understand how a first responder at the 9/11 incident is any different from a first responder at a chemical plant explosion or any other ugly incident that comes along. It seems to me these people would have health insurance or worker's compensation insurance that would cover these things. I feel bad for all those involved but really don't understand the settlement thing.

[russell_bynum]

I'm not taking sides but I don't understand how a first responder at the 9/11 incident is any different from a first responder at a chemical plant explosion or any other ugly incident that comes along. It seems to me these people would have health insurance or worker's compensation insurance that would cover these things. I feel bad for all those involved but really don't understand the settlement thing.

 

Same here.

 

I'm in no way trying to diminish what those folks did, but I really don't understand why there's a lawsuit and a settlement.

[John Ranalletta]

...and, why would a 9/11 victim be paid millions and a Marine or GI who dies in Iraq fighting get almost nothing? We should adopt Israel's policy that we're all soldiers.

[yabadabapal]

Good points. Good questions.

[ltljohn]

I'm not taking sides but I don't understand how a first responder at the 9/11 incident is any different from a first responder at a chemical plant explosion or any other ugly incident that comes along. It seems to me these people would have health insurance or worker's compensation insurance that would cover these things. I feel bad for all those involved but really don't understand the settlement thing.

 

Same here.

 

I'm in no way trying to diminish what those folks did, but I really don't understand why there's a lawsuit and a settlement.

 

I don't understand the lawsuit either. There should be some mechanism in place to provide low cost life insurance for LEOs and Firefighters etc they put their life or health on the line each time they go to work.

When I was on active duty we had SGLI (servicemens group life insurance) If I had bee killed in the line of duty my family would have received $250,000. The cost was minimal.

[Quinn]

I don't have anything nice to say.

 

I remember thinking when the insurance company bailout that my tax money paid out to the victum's families that I sure was glad that my spouse didn't die in a car wreak on 9/11. Same amount of deadness, same suddenness, same everything; just no Federal money. I would have felt so cheated. Now I can be equally glad that she didn't respond to a chemical fire with toxic fumes.

 

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[yabadabapal]

I’ve heard so many different perspectives on this matter in and outside of this forum

I understand to one degree or another, the many varying thoughts and opinions .

Unfortunately, as much as I read and sometimes investigate, this is complicated and I don’t have enough information to do or say much other than report the news as I understood it. That being said though, all of your opinions are worthy and made me realize a few things I hadn’t thought about. I think there is more to this than we can imagine. I need to look into this a bit.

 

[motoguy128]

...and, why would a 9/11 victim be paid millions and a Marine or GI who dies in Iraq fighting get almost nothing? We should adopt Israel's policy that we're all soldiers.

 

THe argument is, that when you join hte military, it's expected that you may get deployed ot war zones. Civilian first responders are not normally expected ot enter massive demolition sites. Burning building and unstable structres yes, but the collapse of such a large building was a unique risk and health hazard that they were not preparred or equipped for.

 

That being said, last I check FF and police unions contracts already include fairly good health plans. I would support addtional health coverage for those that responded to cover related health issues, but not some type of lump sum settlement. The response was not unusual or the duty performed. The events around them andand the environment was.

 

I have a ton of repsoect for public safety workers, but it is afterall, their job ot respond ot buring building, and other types of disasters. But again, I agree that they could not have inticipated the bulding collapse and resulting fallout that may have lasting health effects. Although how do you seperate negative health issues caused by fine dust and asbestos, vs those caused by smoking or smoke inhalation form other fires.

[jmseattle]

I think as pointed out above that it was the extraordinary nature of the events and the wholly unanticipated chronic health consequences that may have resulted directly from those events that could justify what amounts, at the end of the day, to small individual payments. Others on the board no doubt have far better knowledge of police/fire/EMT benefits but at least here in Seattle, until very very recently, they were unconscionably weak in certain instances (and still appear to me to be less than fair):

 

http://westseattle.komonews.com/content/senate-approves-jason-mckissack-act

 

 

[subvet]

is this about first-responders, or the class-action suit against the EPA by those who live & work in the area post-9/11?

 

(EPA said there was no danger from the fallout)

[yabadabapal]

This is "only about first responders." Maybe I didn't make that clear. Sorry about that. firefighters, police, medical, cleanup, and other relative work duties involved.

[pbharvey]

(EPA said there was no danger from the fallout)

 

Is that the same EPA who said carbon dioxide IS dangerous?

They should probably pay closer attention to stuff.

[russell_bynum]

(EPA said there was no danger from the fallout)

 

Were there actually people who believed that?

[Deadboy]

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/03/14/2010-03-14_union_big_hits_low_payout__and_big_lawyers_fees.html