Lawyers for thousands of Sept. 11 responders are back in a New York City court trying to rally support for a deal that would end a seven-year legal fight over the toxic fallout caused by the collapse of the World Trade Center.

U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein earlier this month gave his preliminary approval to a deal that would resolve lawsuits filed by nearly 10,000 police officers, firefighters and construction workers suing the city over their exposure to toxic ash. He was scheduled to hear more testimony on the settlement Wednesday.

Opponents of the deal may be given a chance to speak against it, although the judge has indicated he favors it.

The settlement would pay between $625 million and $712.5 million, depending on how many people take it.