Posted on 03/11/2002 4:27:27 PM PST by Tumbleweed_Connection
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Responding to criticism from relatives of those killed in the Sept. 11 attacks over the U.S. government's compensation program, the fund's overseer announced Thursday changes to increase the average award by more than $200,000 and to make it easier to be eligible.
Unveiling final rules for the multibillion dollar compensation fund, lawyer Kenneth Feinberg said relatives of the victims now would receive $100,000, up from $50,000 in the original rules, for "non-economic" damages.
Feinberg estimated all the changes would increase the average award to more than $1.85 million to the relatives of each victim from $1.65 million estimated under the original rules issued in late December.
He rejected as unwarranted and unfair criticism that the awards would be too high. "It has nothing to do with greed," Feinberg said. "I believe it has everything to do with valuing a lost loved one."
About 3,000 people died from the Sept. 11 attacks by three hijacked airliners on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon (news - web sites) and in the crash of a fourth hijacked plane in Pennsylvania.
Before the changes, about 350 people had applied to take part in the program, a Justice Department (news - web sites) spokesman said.
Feinberg told a news conference that benefits such as Social Security (news - web sites) and workers compensation will not be counted against an award from the fund under the final rules.
For those injured, the rules previously limited eligibility to those who sought medical treatment within 24 hours of the attack. The new rules extended it to 72 hours and may be even longer for rescue workers on a case-by-case basis, he said.
Another change provided special protections for families of illegal immigrants who come forward, Feinberg said, adding that they would not face prosecution.
The compensation program was part of an airline assistance package approved by Congress in September. By taking part in the program, families of victims give up their right to sue and seek damages from any defendants, such as the airlines or the World Trade Center.
The fund's size was not specified in the legislation, but Feinberg said the Congressional Budget Office (news - web sites) had estimated it might total as much as $6 billion before other forms of compensation were deducted.
Since the initial rules came out, hundreds of relatives of the victims have met with politicians and with Feinberg to demand changes.
"I learned a great deal about their concerns and aspirations," he said. The program initially had been "fair and just and reasonable," but with the changes became "even better," Feinberg said.
With the final rules, the program would go forward. "The time for comment and debate is over," Feinberg said.
Separately, President Bush (news - web sites) on Thursday pledged an additional $5.4 billion in aid to help New York recover from the attacks, raising the total promised U.S. assistance to New York City and state to nearly $21.4 billion.
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