Almost three years after a U.S. District Court jury returned an almost $2 million damage award against Continental Carbon Co. of Phenix City, the company is paying the city of Columbus, a south Columbus businessman and an Oakland Park resident what the jury said was their due. Plus interest.

The Continental Carbon Co. filed a petition Wednesday asking the 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals to rehear its decision in March that upheld a $17.5 million punitive damage award against the Phenix City carbon black plant and its parent company, China Synthetic Rubber Corp.

The 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals has upheld a 2004 jury verdict awarding the city of Columbus, a south Columbus businessman and an Oakland Park resident damages totaling more than $20.7 million from Continental Carbon Co. of Phenix City and its parent company, China Synthetic Rubber Corp.