The cap on the oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico off the US coast seems to be holding for now but the region's economy could be suffering for years to come, and efforts to recoup lost earnings could be difficult.

Thousands of people who have been affected by the disaster are learning that compensation cheques from British energy giant BP's settlement fund may not be as large as they expected.

Tom Ackerman reports from Mississippi. (July 22, 2010)