A federal appeals court decided lawsuits can proceed on behalf of thousands of workers who claim they were not properly protected during cleanup of the World Trade Center site after Sept. 11.

Lawyers for New York City and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey had asked the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to give them immunity from nearly 10,000 workers' claims. The ruling means the city and the Port Authority must continue to fight the workers' claims of respiratory and other personal injuries from working at Ground Zero.

White Plains lawyer David Worby, who started the case years ago, called the decision a huge victory on behalf of his 10,000 clients. It was the last legal hurdle before the lawsuit can head to trial so a jury can decide on the case.

?This appeal delayed the case for two years, and more people are sick. Over 500 have cancer. Two-hundred are no longer around,? said Worby.

The lawsuits seek money for medical help from the Sept. 11 insurance fund, which was set aside by Congress. None of the people in the suit have seen any money from the billion-dollar fund given to New York City.Pressure is also building against the city outside the courtroom. Two busloads of sick Sept. 11 workers will be taking a trip down to Washington, D.C. for a special oversight hearing sponsored by Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NYC). The lawyers for the city and the compensation fund are expected to face some tough questions. Ex-copsthat sparked 9/11 suit hope for medical help9/11workers' lawsuit blasts Bloomberg