Judge Blocks 9/11 Claims Against Airlines

A New York judge has decided that the World Trade Center owners cannot demand more insurance money for the Sept. 11 attacks.

Judge Alvin Hellerstein ruled Thursday after listening to witnesses for the owners of the trade center and airlines linked to the jets used in the attacks.

The trial was held to decide whether the owners of the trade center complex can collect more than the nearly $5 billion they've already received toward reconstruction.

Lawyers for the airlines argue the claims against them duplicate claims that insurance companies have already been paid the complex's owners.

But developer Larry Silverstein and the trade center companies insist that aviation companies owe at least $3.5 billion for letting hijackers board planes that destroyed three skyscrapers.

The complex developers' lawyers say they'll appeal.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)