“ All of our conversations with counsel have been positive and constructive. If you accept the Administrator's invitation to undertake this responsibility, your role in the dispute resolution process will be to conduct an assessment of the families' circumstances, and to formulate recommendations as to the amounts of compensation, if any, that NASA, through its Administrator, should offer family members in exchange for a release of all claims they may have against NASA and/or its contractors in connection with the Columbia tragedy. ”
by NASA
Summary
“Columbia Settlement”, is a work by by NASA. It explores elements such as compensation, family representative and Eligible Family Members.
Quotes from Columbia Settlement (by NASA)
“ While NASA seeks your independent assessment and judgment, your recommendations should reflect findings and determinations on the following issues/items: First, you should determine which family members should be eligible for compensation ("Eligible Family Members") . Second, you should make findings regarding the economic losses suffered by the Eligible Family Members of the STS-107 crew, and appropriate measures of compensation for the same. Third, you should make findings regarding non-economic losses to Eligible Family Members and appropriate measures of compensation for the same. ”
“ If any family member were to decline compensation offered by NASA, that family member would, of course, remain eligible to pursue other forms of recourse, legal or otherwise. In order for you to better understand the task that the Administrator is asking you to undertake, I am providing the following background information. After the tragic loss of Columbia, NASA's General Counsel's office examined pertinent legal authorities to determine the potential legal exposure of NASA and its contractors to the families of the Columbia astronauts. ”
