Energy giant BP's $7.8-billion settlement with individuals and businesses harmed by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill resolves most lawsuits against the company by private citizens but still leaves open the federal government's and the five Gulf states' law-enforcement and natural-resource damage claims. The U.S. District Court in New Orleans will consider the federal and state claims in the near future. The outcome could bring more dollars for further Gulf Coast cleanup and restoration.

On March 2, just before its trial was to begin in district court, BP announced it had reached an agreement with plaintiffs. That temporarily postponed the trial. BP officials say the company will draw on a $20-billion fund to pay current and future claims of individuals and businesses. The April 20, 2010, oil rig explosion killed 11 crew members, injured others and caused more then four million barrels of oil to pour into the Gulf.