New York City is being sued by hundreds of people for cancer diagnoses they received following time spent working in the ground zero area. A $575 million settlement was rejected by a judge two weeks ago in part because he did not believe that the settlement would adequately cover the costs of sick workers' medical costs.
Statistics show that the rate of cancer diagnoses for workers is in line with that of the general public, making it difficult to determine how much money should be awarded to sick workers. Scientists have no doubt that many sick workers' diagnoses have ties to ground zero, but determining which is complex.
According to Dr. Philip Landrigan, who oversees the World Trade Center Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program at Mount Sinai Hospital, "'We know full well that there were carcinogens at ground zero. There was asbestos. There was benzene. There were other things." Complicating the financial package is whether or not patients with diseases more likely to be a result of ground zero interaction, such as respiratory illnesses, should receive more payment than those with more difficult to prove illnesses.
Landrigan says that he and other researchers have great concern that large cancer clusters amongst ground zero workers will continue to emerge as more years pass. If you or someone you love has been exposed to absestos or you wish to discuss your legal options regarding asbestos exposure, contact the Mesothelioma lawyers of Williams Kherkher by calling 800-781-3955 today.