9/11 Responder Calls Settlement Offer An "Insult"

NEW YORK (WCBS 880) - People who worked at Ground Zero responding to the 9/11 attacks and got sick from the toxic dust are finding out exactly how much they'll get from a $712-million settlement.

For some, it's not nearly enough, as WCBS 880's Marla Diamond reports.

LISTEN: WCBS 880's Marla Diamond reports

He contracted thyroid cancer after working on the pile for 171 days, was forced to retire from the FDNY, and Kenny Specht called his settlement offer an insult.

"After the 25 percent for the lawyers [and after an itemized deduction to pay back the loan they took out to handle this case], it could be less than $100,000," says Specht.

Because there's no scientific proof the toxic dust caused cancer, Specht and thousands more like him are getting less than those with respiratory ailments like asthma.

He's decided not to take the offer.

Specht says, "They can take the money and shove it (and the amount and shove it). It doesn't matter to me. It has to come in a more respectful way."

95 percent of the plaintiffs must accept their offers by September for the settlement to take effect.