Space debris hit a Florida family’s roof. They’re suing NASA for this. The amount of compensation has been reduced

Space debris from equipment used by NASA to assemble batteries on the space station fell onto the Otero family’s home. They hit with such force that they made a huge hole in the roof and floor. The garbage almost hit one of the household members who were two rooms away. The unlucky family hired lawyers and started a legal battle with NASA. The agency admitted that its garbage fell in Florida.

USA. Garbage from space fell on their house. They are demanding compensation from NASA

The Otero family is demanding, among other things: repair of the damage caused, as well as compensation for the costs of the proceedings and loss of mental health. In total, they expect $80,000 in compensation. – My clients are demanding appropriate compensation for the stress and impact this event has had on their lives. They are grateful that no one was physically injured in the incident, but a near miss like this could have had devastating consequences. If the garbage had hit a few meters in a different direction, it could have caused serious injuries or death, emphasizes lawyer Mica Nguyen Worthy, quoted by .

Will the case of the Otero family from Florida set new standards?

The law firm represented by the lawyer believes that this could be a precedent-setting case that will set standards for future space debris claims in both the public and private sectors. – If the incident occurred overseas and someone in another country was damaged by the same space debris as the Otero family, the United States would be entirely responsible for covering that damage (…). We have asked NASA not to apply different standards to U.S. citizens or residents, he explained.

If NASA were to adopt the position that the Otero family’s claims should be fully satisfied, it would send a message to both other governments and the private sector that such victims deserve compensation. The agency now has six months to respond to the complaint.