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Deadline Approaching for 9/11 Health Claims

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    Legal panel weighs in on suit

  • Duration 3:49
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Well it's very tough decision and just one week left to make it for more than 16100.

People.

They say they got sick after inhaling the toxic air at ground zero following the attacks of September 11.

They have until next Monday January 2 to choose whether to keep fighting in court or to sign up for a nearly three billion dollar government compensation -- The problem is to get a share of that fun.

The applicants have to for ever give up their right to sue over 9/11 health problems and there's no way to know which course would get them more money in the end.

Let's bring this -- our legal panel joining us from our South Florida newsroom former prosecutor Marla checkups -- and from here in Los Angeles criminal defense attorney John Manuel and Marla I mean really is a gamble because either have to fight on.

Or yet to take whatever money might be coming down the road nobody knows how much money -- Absolutely it's a gamble either way you can either take your chance in the years of litigation -- -- -- I forgot all -- -- from litigation and so I can't be for ever barred by the government compensation fund and these people only have near DC make that final decision.

And -- -- cores on both ends is definitely unknown at this time.

-- and so John if if you're advising your client do you say look we're gonna fight on because maybe down the line we get a whole lot of money or would it take this money.

But your sickness may not get you very much.

It all depends on the injuries and it all depends on the -- for example in this lawsuit cancer is barred cancers not mention.

Although you may have a causation problem think about this -- -- that somebody contracting measles -- Omar most of those buildings were built before 1990 the World Trade Center that I'm talking about.

So those buildings have its -- this inside of them.

So if you take a client and you opt in and you go for this settlement.

You may be losing on a large amount of compensatory damages if you're able to prove that the person has measles -- more related cancers.

Yet but you can you to sign onto this victim's compensation fund Marla and you may not have to prove your donation and I have to prove that you've got it dead ground zero so.

You could get a little get a guaranteed money in the courts and in this thing could drag on for years and years and years.

Well that's not necessarily to -- they do you have to shows some proof of their diagnosis they can't just say.

I have I have a thickness and it's because of ground zero they have to show some sort of link -- that plane not as direct of a link they have to prove in court of law.

And they're saying that even people that -- denying aid and that first compensation fund in 2002 you can't even re apply to this new compensation fund.

But -- they are warning that it could take until 2016.

For the money from the competition can't even get into these -- expect them that are claiming -- illnesses.

-- it's also interesting John because people who have already settled lawsuits 9/11 lawsuits are still able to apply for this.

Victims compensation fund fair.

It's fair for them -- but ultimately let's just say you -- -- Trace and many years and years later you get a very small amount there's no recourse you're stuck with that.

Agreement so to that extent it's not fair but to people.

That are opting in now that didn't have a chance before sure it's -- it all depends on the client that you have any injuries that you have.

Yeah any again we're talking about -- two billion plus dollars once you spread that up over a number years it could be a very small amount of money for each of the victims.

Absolutely and and and space that right now cancers not -- ailment that's covered by the finds.

But if they do decide to cover cancer.

They estimate that up -- at least one billion dollars.

For only 1000 people that are claiming cancer as the cause -- injuries so that's fines could be highly exhausted sooner than me care.

-- Tchaikovsky John -- -- and thank you both.

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