U.S. Representatives Carolyn Maloney and Jerrold Nadler, authors of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, today issued the following statement on the announced settlement of thousands of lawsuits filed by workers who participated in rescue and recovery efforts at Ground Zero:

“The announced settlement of thousands of cases pending in federal court filed by Ground Zero rescue and recovery workers underscores the need for Congress to pass long-term health care and compensation for those who are sick or injured as a result of the 9/11 attacks. The 11,000 plaintiffs in this case are only a fraction of the more than 20,000 Americans who have been identified by the federal government to date as having serious health problems as a direct result of 9/11. We believe that all of these men and women deserve proper care for their illnesses and injuries and compensation for their economic losses.

“Additionally, while this settlement, if approved, would bring long-overdue economic relief to some of those who lost their health working at Ground Zero, there are a variety of questions remaining, including whether enough of the plaintiffs will make the judgment in the next 90 days that this settlement is acceptable. There is a 95% plaintiff participation requirement for the settlement to move forward at all.

“We are hopeful that the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act will soon move out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and be sent for a vote on the House floor. The heroes of 9/11 and all the innocent victims of the attacks have waited long enough for comprehensive health care and compensation.”