All workers have a right to work in a safe environment; however, even when all necessary safety precautions are taken, workers can still be injured. When a worker is injured, they may need to file a worker’s compensation claim so that they and their families are able to begin to recover for their economic and other damages. Although filing a worker’s compensation personal injury claim should be easy, there are many reasons why they can become complicated and complex. Our team of highly skilled and respected worker’s compensation lawyers and personal injury attorney specialists here at the Law Offices of Gilbert R. Hoy, Jr. and Affiliates will help guide you through the process to make sure you receive just and fair compensation for your injuries and pain and suffering.
A federal judge has finally approved $53.8 million in settlements for 82 unionized cleanup workers who claimed they were made ill by exposure to toxic dust near the 9/11 World Trade Center site. The workers were among roughly 1,000 to seek compensation in federal court in Manhattan, New York for alleged injuries stemming from their cleanup work at more than 100 privately owned buildings in downtown Manhattan. While a few hundred other workers have settled in recent years, the settlements approved by U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein in Manhattan offers a new window into the payouts, which typically have not been made public.
Payouts to the 82 workers will average $656,119, and range from $25,000 to $1.45 million. They reflect such factors as injury severity, lost earnings, age and smoking history. One worker still has claims against two related defendants. The settled claims generally alleged that workers suffer from respiratory and digestive diseases, psychological injuries, and cancer after the defendant building owners and contractors failed to provide equipment to keep them from inhaling toxic dust in about 71 buildings near Ground Zero.
If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident and were injured while on the job, you may be entitled to substantial compensation. Please contact one of our expert personal injury lawyers or our worker’s compensation attorney specialists here at our Boston, Massachusetts law firm. Someone will be here 24/7 and can be reached by phone at 617-787-3700 or email us at info@gilhoylaw.com. Your needs are our top priority!