Recovery workers suing the city over exposure to toxic dust in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks have until Monday to decide whether to join a multi-million dollar legal settlement.

The settlement could end up paying out as much as $815 million among the workers, based on the severity of their illnesses and if they could be linked to the attacks on the World Trade Center.

At least 95 percent of the plaintiffs need to participate for the deal to become effective.

So far, attorneys say 90 percent have said "yes."

More than 10,000 people have sued the city and companies that handled the cleanup in Lower Manhattan.

Most claim the government and contractors didn't provide proper equipment to protect their lungs.

Meanwhile, New York lawmakers plan to bring the "Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act" to a vote in the Senate. This, before Democrats lose some of their members to Republicans who won in the election.

If rejected, the bill will have to return to the House, where only 17 Republicans voted to approve it in September.

Senator Charles Schumer says he is trying to get more support.

"We have every Democrat -- that's 59 or it may be 58 cause Senator Burress will be replaced by Senator-elect Kirk before the lame duck will vote for it," Schumer said. "We need a couple of Republicans to join us. We're working hard to convince them this is the right thing to do regardless of party."

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand says Senate leaders have agreed the bill will bypass a lengthy committee process and will likely go to a full vote once the Senate reconvenes next month.

The bill is named for New York City Police Department detective James Zadroga, who died of respiratory illness after working for months at the World Trade Center site.

It would provide more than $7 billion in treatment and compensation to sick workers and residents.