World Trade Center Owner Sues Airlines For Billions In Damages In 9/11 Attacks

The owner of the World Trade Center, who collected $5 billion in insurance money following the 9/11 attacks, is looking for more. Larry Silverstein has recently filed a lawsuit seeking $3.5 billion in damages from United Airlines, U.S. Airways and American airlines, the Washington Times reported. Attorney for the airlines, Roger Podesta, said the suit was asking for more than Silverstein's fair share in damages. Podesta said the amount requested is 2 and 1/2 times the worth of the buildings. Silverstein's attorney Richard Williamson said that the amount was accurate, saying the attacks cost the owner $7 billion, with One World Trade Center worth $3.9 billion on its own, UPI reported.

"This did not just come out of a hat," Williamson said of the figures. "You can't just say, 'I have economic loss.'"

The case has been going on since 2008, with U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein, who has ruled on most 9/11-related cases, would make a decision on Wednesday in the non-jury trial, MSN News reported. He has been listening to the arguments by both parties since Monday. The airlines said that Silverstein is attempting to double dip, while Silverstein maintains that it cost nearly $8 billion to replace the infrastructure that fell. If the judge rules against Silverstein, he will have to partake in a separate trial to try to prove the airlines' liability in the matter.