However, the Directive also gave each member state the option of imposing a liability cap of 70 million euros per defect.

Robins is seeking the liability cap as a step toward release from the bankruptcy protection it sought in August 1985.

The Senate had made the companies' decision easy by stripping the bill of the liability cap that would have mitigated the suits.

Given that roughly 20,000 claims were filed in 2003, a $3 million liability cap would translate into a payment of about $150 per claim.

BP has said it would pay for all cleanup and remediation regardless of the statutory liability cap.

It is hoped that banks will begin to compete for business by offering debit cards with a more affordable liability cap.

Eliminate the $75 million liability cap for offshore oil spills.

Instead, 147 of the families of the 269 victims had to settle with Korean Air Lines for the international liability cap of $75,000.

"I hope Visa and Mastercard will work with us to make this liability cap the law of the land."

Medical liability caps have been proven to lower healthcare costs and increase the number of practicing doctors available in certain areas.