More Than 95% of 9/11 Rescue and Recovery Workers Approve Settlement

More than 95% of the workers who took New York City officials and contractors to court over health problems stemming from the 9/11 rescue and recovery operations at the World Trade Center site approved a settlement worth at least $625 million, the New York Times reported, citing attorneys involved in the process.

Just over 10,000 workers approved the settlement this week, clearing the 95% threshold required for the agreement, the newspaper said. The agreement was secured after many workers had taken issue with terms of the payout. Certain illnesses and even cancers stemming from exposure to fumes and dust at the site qualified for higher payouts than others, the newspaper reported.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg called the settlement a "fair and just resolution," the Times said.

Workers will be paid from $3,250 to $1.8 million, depending on the injuries suffered, with severity divided into four payout categories. Those in the most severe category, which include about half of the workers, will receive about 94% of the total payout, the Times reported, citing the attorneys.

More than 2,700 people were killed at the World Trade Center from the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.