Court Cases

Almost a decade after the event of the World Trade Center terrorist attacks, a dozen plaintiffs who claimed that they have been doomed to death by the toxins of Ground Zero were finally called to court. These cases involve some of those who spent the most time cleaning up and looking for remains. These plaintiffs claimed to be contaminated with illness due to exposure of toxic dust or got chronically ill in their efforts to perform their duty and help out in the Ground Zero site. These men are admired by many and considered as among the greatest heroes of 9/11. Listed below are some of the recognized lawsuits related to Ground Zero efforts.

  • The case of Raymond Hauber, a 47 year old firefighter. According to records, he died in 2007 because of esophageal cancer which his family claimed to have developed after spending more than 90 days helping out in the Ground Zero rubble piles. His family recounted that September 11, 2001 was supposed to be Hauber’s day off. Yet, he rushed to Engine Co. 284, his firehouse in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, so that he can join the recovery and rescue efforts.
  • The case of FDNY Lieutenant Martin Fullam. He spent more than 3 weeks rummaging through the Ground Zero rubble trying to find survivors. Fullman was later diagnosed with polymyositis, a rare auto-immune illness which only affects a few people. Their basis on their lawsuit is that more than 6 out of 8,000 workers in Ground Zero acquired the disease. Lieutenant Martin Fullman received a lung transplant last March 2010 which saved his life.
  • Robert Galvani, a Con Ed employee. Lawyers claimed that Galvani weighed more than 400 lbs. Before the onset of the September 2011 Word Trade Center attacks, Galvani already suffered from breathing problems, sleep apnea, hypertension and diabetes.

Other cases which are subject for review are those of the following individuals:

  • Richard L. Sanchez
  • Nicholas Ferrantello – a transit authority worker in New York City
  • Sgt. Dawn Sorrento of the New York Police Department (NYPD)
  • Richard Calderon – Con Ed worker
  • Officer Scott Malkoff of the New York Police Department (NYPD)
  • Firefighter Frank Malone of the New York City Fire Department
  • Harold Valencia
  • Alberdeston Gonzalez – New York City Police Department motor vehicle operator
  • Port Authority Sgt. Michael Honovich

New York City lawyers have to play hardball in their process of case selection, taking note of individuals whom they believe have no sufficient evidence to prove that their claimed illness are somewhat related to the terror attacks.