A Florida Supreme Court ruling Thursday may have significant implications for future legal action against BP in the wake of the Gulf of Mexico oil disaster.
The Court overturned a ruling by the 2nd District Court of Appeals, by saying that commercial fishermen in Hillsborough County can sue and recover damages from a fertilizer company that polluted the public waters they fish, even though the anglers have no ownership rights in those waters.
In the coming lawsuits againt BP, Floridians that argue the spill, though in public waters, affects livelihoods such as fishing, tourism, and other sea-related commerce, will have the state's backing in those claims against BP.