09/05/2014 // West Palm Beach, Florida, US // JusticeNewsFlash // Justice News Flash // (press release)

Florida – A recent ruling by a federal judge could mean additional fines for oil giant BP. As reported by the Associated Press (AP), environmentalists and others have applauded the recent ruling by U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier that the company was grossly negligent in the 2010 disaster, which led to millions of gallons of oil being spilled into the Gulf of Mexico.

The ruling could lead to BP being fined an extra $18 billion more in accordance with provisions of the federal Clean Water Act. Under the legislation, civil fines can increase from $1,100 per barrel of spilled oil to up to $4,300 if a company is deemed grossly negligent.

As noted by the AP, BP made an earlier agreement to pay criminal fines and penalties in the amount of $4 billion, as well as over $27 billion in costs for cleanup and compensation for damages related to the spill.

This report is provided by Justice News Flash – Florida Legal News

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