BP to pay record $18.7 billion to states affected by oil spill; total obligations of $53.8B
July 03, 2015 at 05:12 AM EDT
More than five years after the worst offshore oil spill in U.S. history fouled beaches, coated seabirds in thick goo and threatened delicate marshes, BP has agreed to pay a record settlement to affected states in hopes of bringing an end to a legal drama that has cost the company billions.