A federal judge in New York has delayed a multi-million settlement for workers who suffered health problems after the September 11, 2001, attacks.

The settlement involves nearly 500 million euros in compensation for up to 10,000 police officers, firemen and other plaintiffs who worked at "Ground Zero" in the rubble of the World Trade Centre. In his preliminary ruling, the judge said the process was not transparent and lawyers fees should not be drawn from the funds.

He said workers had a right to know the amount of cash they might get before deciding whether to participate in the settlement. He also deemed the point system used to determine the amount of compensation too complicated.