In 2008, a fatal airplane accident involving a Marine Corps fighter jet claimed the lives of four innocent people in San Diego. After a series of mistakes, the jet crashed into the family's home, killing four family members, including two children who were only 2 months and 15 months old, along with their mother and grandmother.

According to reports, mechanical failure, along with pilot error led the student airman to crash into the home. After the fatal aviation accident, 13 members of the Navy and Marine Corps were disciplined for their errors, and the federal government admitted liability. Tragically, the crash could have been avoided if the airman had taken the opportunity to land at a nearby Navy base.

The surviving family members filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the government for the needless loss of their loved ones. Since the government had already admitted responsibility, the only issue remaining was the amount of damages to be paid to the family. They had asked for $56 million for their emotional and financial losses.

No amount of money can compensate a family for the loss a loved one, whether in an aviation accident or another event. Monetary damages can, however, be a way to hold those responsible for such a crash accountable for their negligence.

In this case, a federal judge ultimately awarded the surviving family members a total of $17.8 million to be divided among the father of the two children, the grandfather, and the other adult children of the grandfather.

Emotional testimony about the grandmother's character may have been partly responsible for the judge's decision to issue such a large judgment. Apparently, this mother, wife and grandmother was an extraordinary person whose life greatly impacted many people's lives and who will be greatly missed.

Source: The Huffington Post, "Judge Orders U.S. Government To Pay $17.8 Million to Family For Marine Corps Fighter Jet Crash," Julie Watson, Dec. 28, 2011