"TALLAHASSEE, FLA.  — Commercial fishermen can recover economic losses caused by polluters, the Florida Supreme Court ruled Thursday in a decision that could establish precedent for future claims against BP PLC.

The justices unanimously ruled that fishermen can seek such recoveries under state law even if they don't own any property damaged by the pollution.

By a 5-1 vote, they found damages also are allowed by common law.

The decision does not apply to seafood distributors, restaurants and other businesses that sustain economic losses due to pollution."

Brent Kallestad reports for the Associated Press June 17, 2010. [2]