A New York judge says he could issue his first ruling as early as next week approving a settlement worth up to $657.5 million for those who worked in the ruins of the World Trade Center after the September 11 attacks in 2001.

The settlement is in response to a lawsuit brought against New York City and its contractors by thousands of firefighters, police, and others who were injured at "Ground Zero" while doing rescue and clean-up work.

U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein said he'll hear testimony next week from some of those who first responded to the attacks. Among those first responders at the hearing on Friday was medical response worker, Avelino Montalva.

"Six months after, I was diagnosed with asthma, PTSD; throughout the years upper respiratory and mesothelioma. Everyday I'm suffering. I am on 17 medications. I'm on disability."

The settlement will be drawn from a federally financed insurance fund created in 2004 with a $1 billion grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.