New York City Doubts Claims of Some 9/11 Plaintiffs

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Of the 10,800 people who have sued New York City over purported health effects stemming from the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, many aren't really sick, city lawyers claim in new court filings.

About half of the total claims filed represent city employees, including police and firefighters, the Associated Press reported.

In a letter to U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein, the city's law firm, Patton Boggs LLP, said nearly one-third of those who want compensation allege "only nominal injuries." The letter contends that these cases mostly include ailments that haven't been diagnosed, representing symptoms such as insomnia or a runny nose, the AP reported.

In fact, more than 300 of the lawsuits "do not claim any past or current physical injury," the lawyers alleged.

Attorney Marc Bern, representing workers who are suing the city, disputes the letter's contention that 30 percent of the plaintiffs don't have serious health problems. He said their cases would be helped when additional medical records are obtained.

"We're continuing to get more records every day, virtually by the minute," he said.

The U.S. government has established a $1 billion insurance fund to cover 9/11 claims. It's overseen by the city, the AP said.