Who remains in line for Exxon Valdez money?

Lawyers in the Exxon Valdez case made some really important filings on Friday.

First, they posted yet another list of people soon to receive money.

The list has 407 names from 26 claim categories. These claimants will split nearly $8.6 million, minus attorney fees.

Another filing is this declaration from Lynn Sarko, the Seattle lawyer whose firm is handling the distribution of Exxon Valdez punitive damages.

The declaration spells out how much money has been distributed so far, and who can expect money in the coming months. Highly recommended reading!

Here are a few key points from the court papers I reviewed:

• After the U.S. Supreme Court ruling last year, lawyers for commercial fishermen and other plaintiffs worked a partial settlement with Exxon Mobil Corp. for about $383 million.

Once this latest batch of payments goes out, likely by August, more than 90 percent of the settlement money will have been distributed.

• The lawyers plan to hand out the rest of the money over several rounds.

One round will go to “unoiled fisheries.” Another round will go to people in “the smaller remaining claim categories” such as various shellfish fisheries in Cook Inlet, Kodiak and Prince William Sound.

• If I’m reading it correctly, the Sarko declaration says none of the $383 million will be going to claimants in the cannery worker category.

It’s not quite clear to me why not.