WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled unanimously in favor of an Iowa trucking company that was trying to recover $4.7 million in legal fees from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission after a class action lawsuit against the company was thrown out.

The justices said lawyers for CRST Van Expedited Inc. may be able to recoup the money under a law that awards fees to the winning party. They returned the case to a lower court for further review.

The EEOC sought relief for hundreds of female employees who were allegedly sexually harassed at work. An appeals court said the agency erred by suing before properly investigating their claims.

The appeals court said the trucking company couldn't recover legal fees because the claims were dismissed without a ruling on the merits. But the high court reversed.