The U.S. Supreme Court today drastically reduced the damage award in the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill case.

A federal judge awarded $5 billion to 33,000 Alaska Natives, fishermen, landowners and other plaintiffs. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals subsequently cut the award to $2.5 billion.

In Exxon v. Baker, the Supreme Court said the reduced award was too high. Based on compensation already paid, the majority said the plaintiffs are owed $500 million.

The vote on the damages was 5-3. Justice Samuel Alito did not take part in the case because he owns Exxon stock.

Get the Story:
Court slashes judgment in Exxon Valdez disaster (AP 6/25)
pwpwd

Supreme Court Decision:
Syllabus | Opinion [Souter] | Concurrence [Scalia] | Concurence/Dissent [Stevens] | Concurence/Dissent [Ginsburg] | Concurence/Dissent [Breyer]

Related Stories:
Supreme Court hears Exxon Valdez oil spill case (2/28)
Supreme Court agrees to hear Exxon oil spill case (10/30)
Court won't reconsider $2.5B Exxon Valdez award (5/24)
Alaska Natives seek $100M for Exxon Valdez oil spill (5/2)
Judge orders Exxon to pay $7B for Valdez spill (1/29)
Exxon wants oil spill award reduced (06/13)
Alaska Natives appeal Exxon ruling (11/30)
Exxon fight has proven costly (11/9)
Native payout for Exxon spill lowered (11/8)
Exxon Valdez health complaints probed (11/6)