New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has warned that personal injury lawsuits filed as a result of the 11 September attacks could bankrupt the city.
Speaking to the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks, Bloomberg said he had asked Congress to give the city "retrospective indemnification" from personal injury lawsuits, which means it could be covered against claims arising from the World Trade Centre attacks.
The mayor also claimed that it took over a year for the city to obtain insurance, adding that this coverage would not cover damages.
He said: "In retrospect, there is little the city could have done on 11 September to avoid the tremendous loss of life that occurred so quickly after the attacks."
