Families of 9/11 victims urge reconsideration of settlement rejection

[babsbunny]

http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Families_of_911_victims_urge_reconsideration_0807.html

Associated Press
Published: Thursday August 7, 2008


NEW YORK -- Lawyers for the families of four 9/11 victims are urging a judge to reconsider his decision to reject $28.5 million in settlements that he now says are excessive compared with those other survivors received.

U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein had approved four settlements ranging from $5.5 million to $8 million weeks ago, but reversed himself July 24, saying the amounts were "disproportionately large" and that they "embarrass and prejudice" those who settled earlier. He referred to the four victims as "modest wage earners at the Pentagon."

Their families were among fewer than 100 who sued over deaths or injuries from the Sept. 11 attacks. More than 5,000 others received money from a special fund established by Congress that distributed more than $7 billion.