Supreme Court rejects BP oil spill payment case

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8 (UPI) -- The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to hear the $9.7 billion BP oil spill settlement case, rejecting their argument that they are paying undamaged businesses.

BP originally estimated a $7.8 billion payout but now says it is looking at costs anywhere from $9.7 to $20 billion. They anticipate ultimately paying $43 billion in a pretax total to pay for the fallout from the spill.

The Supreme Court rejection, "should finally put to rest BP's two-year attack on its own settlement," said Stephen J. Herman and James P. Roy, the lead lawyers for the claimants.

"BP has developed buyer's remorse and wants out of the agreement it entered into," said the claimants.

In addition to the payouts, they also paid $28 billion and is facing an $18 billion fine for violating the U.S. Clean Water Act.

BP is "concerned that the program has made awards to claimants that suffered no injury from the spill -- and that the lawyers for these claimants have unjustly profited as a result," said the company's spokesman Geoff Morrell.

Morrell said the company would continue to fight the allegedly false claims while trying to fairly compansate those legitimately affected.