New York ( CNN ) -- The WTC Captive Insurance Co. announced settlements Thursday with more than 10,000 plaintiffs who claimed sickness or injuries after the 9/11 terrorist attacks . The settlements could total up to $ 657 million . WTC Captive was created with a $ 1 billion FEMA grant and provides insurance coverage to the City of New York and its debris-removal contractors . In the aftermath of attacks of September 11 , 2001 , New York was unable to get adequate amounts of liability insurance for the rescue , recovery and debris-removal work done at the World Trade Center site . The settlement would provide a system to pay for the compensation of the injury claims made by people working on the rescue and debris removal for the city and its contractors . This would include construction workers , firefighters , police officers and other workers and volunteers . The settlement would also fund a special insurance policy , which provides additional compensation to any plaintiff contracting certain types of cancer in the future . Christine LaSala , president of WTC Captive , said in a statement : `` We have reached a settlement that is fair under difficult and complicated circumstances . This agreement enables workers and volunteers claiming injury from the WTC site operations to obtain compensation commensurate with the nature of their injuries and the strength of their claims , while offering added protection against possible future illness . '' In order to make a claim , plaintiffs will have to submit proof they were present and participated in the post-9/11 efforts . They will also have to present specific medical documentation , including a diagnosis confirming their illness or injury . New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said of the resolution , `` This settlement is a fair and reasonable resolution to a complex set of circumstances . Since September 11th , the city has moved aggressively to provide medical treatment to those who were present at Ground Zero , and we will continue our commitment to treatment and monitoring . '' A spokesman for the mayor declined further comment . After the 9/11 attacks , individuals who worked or volunteered in the rescue , recovery and debris-removal project were entitled to and have received free medical care , which has been funded by the City of New York and the federal government . Participating in the settlement would not deter access to that care . Former New York firefighter Kenny Specht told CNN 's Campbell Brown , `` You really ca n't put a price on your health , so I hope that this settlement was done the right way and I hope that it was done with people 's health and safety and future in mind . '' Specht , 37 , was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2008 .
WTC Captive Insurance Co. announced settlements with more than 10,000 plaintiffs . Settlements could total up to $ 657 million . WTC Captive provides coverage to the city and its debris-removal contractors . Settlement would provide system to pay for compensation of injury claims .