By 2014, the district court awarded the plaintiffs over $10 billion. Sudan, which had not appeared during the initial lawsuit, appealed the judgment, arguing it did not understand the US civil suit system and did not understand the consequences of not appearing, but also challenged the retroactive nature of the 2008 change to the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act. The appeals court discounted Sudan's argument regarding its lack of understanding, and upheld the lower court's finding that Sudan was liable for the bombings, but ruled that the $4.3 billion of punitive damages could not be applied retroactively.
By 2014, the district court awarded plaintiffs more than $10 billion. Sudan, which did not participate in the initial lawsuit, appealed the decision, claiming it was unaware of the US civil litigation system and failed to comprehend the repercussions of its absence, but also contested the retroactive effect of the 2008 amendment to the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act. The appeals court dismissed Sudan's argument about its lack of understanding and affirmed the lower court’s determination that Sudan was responsible for the bombings, yet ruled that $4.3 billion in punitive damages could not be applied retrospectively.