Published October 5, 2015 11:24am EDT | Updated October 5, 2015 12:06pm EDT

BP To Pay $20.8 Billion To Settle Civil Suits From U.S., Five States

BP will pay $20.8 billion to settle civil suits from the federal government and five states. The suits cover violations of the Clean Water Act and natural resources damage claims under the Oil Pollution Act, as well as economic damage claims of the five Gulf states and local governments. It is the largest settlement with a single entity in the Department of Justice's history.