"U.S. Supreme Court Refuses, for Now, To Stop BP Oil Spill Payments

"The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined a request from BP to block payments to businesses while the oil giant appeals its 2010 Gulf of Mexico disaster settlement. For the time being, the decision upholds the ruling by the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans that under terms of the settlement, businesses claiming damages from the undersea eruption need not prove direct harm.

BP is now asking the Supreme Court to review the ruling itself. The company sought to have payments to businesses put on hold while it pursues that appeal. The Supreme Court declined without comment.

The latest decision is "a very strong sign that the Supreme Court will not hear BP's appeal, and if it does, that BP will not prevail on the merits' of the case, said Loyola University law professor Blaine LeCesne. 'This ruling today is more likely a penultimate ending of BP's quest to throw out the settlement.'"

Katherine Sayre reports for the New Orleans Times-Picayune June 9, 2014.

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"Supreme Court Says BP Must Pay Spill Claims During Appeal" (Aljazeera America)