18 years later and Exxon Mobil is still in court appealing payment for damages caused by the Valdez oil spill. It’s one of the longest running US court cases ever, and the inhabitants of the towns affected by the spill have yet to receive compensation. The only people getting richer are Exxon and the lawyers. With 18 years separating the disaster and a resolution, any compensation would be so disconnected from the actual event as to be an almost meaningless windfall. As one of the town’s inhabitants says: ” I’d rather have had a few dollars in my pocket all my life, than have a heap of money just as I’m about to check into the old folks’ home.” Where’s the justice in that?