Lawyers for World Trade Center landlord Larry Silverstein claim they’ve unearthed a “smoking gun” document which entitles him to a $7.1 billion insurance payout.
The document, which includes two e-mails from an agent at French-based insurer SCOR, shows that Silverstein’s insurance for the Twin Towers was based on a policy that does not define “occurrence,” his lawyers said yesterday.
Silverstein is advocating that the World Trace Center disaster was two occurrences, a theory that would enable him to claim $7.1 billion instead of $3.55 million.
But lawyers for the insurers have argued that Silverstein’s insurance was based on a policy form that would define the attacks as a singular event.
The success of Silverstein’s claim, to be heard in Manhattan federal court Nov. 4, is a crucial factor in how much money will be available for the rebuilding of lower Manhattan.