Professor Roy Simon has been appointed by U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein to play a key role in a proposed settlement of lawsuits filed by people who believe they were sickened during rescue and cleanup work at the World Trade Center site.

"I am going to look at [the letters] and make sure that the lawyers fairly and accurately describe what the lawyers' interests are [and] what the lawyers' conflicts are," Simon said. "I'm not there to convince any plaintiff to accept it or convince any plaintiff not to accept it."

To take effect, the proposed settlement requires approval by 95 percent of plaintiffs, who have until Sept. 30 to decide whether to accept it.

To read the Newsday feature outlining Professor Simon's new role, click here.