ChannelNewsAsia:

The amount of US$15 million a California jury has awarded to the Wu family, who lost both their parents in the SQ006 crash over three years ago, is not a precedent-setting decision, lawyers told Channel NewsAsia.

"The accord of damage is very much so dependent upon the particular circumstances of the deceased as well. Pain and suffering that individuals go through, the number of years that people can be productive, of course the actual capability of the person to earn a particular sum of money or advance to a particular level -- all these are various considerations that will come into effect when considering a quantum for damages," said lawyer Mervyn Tan.

"This does not mean that each and every individual who follows in the footsteps of this precedent will be accorded the same sum. I think we must understand it in an international context. We intend to say this is a large amount because in Singapore it's quite unheard of, but obviously it's not a sum not unheard of in the US,"

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ChannelNewsAsia via Dow Jones Newswires

In response to the court's decision, SIA's public affairs chief Rick Clements says the airline deeply regrets the pain and heartache that the accident had caused.

He says SIA has always shouldered its responsibilities for the well-being of those affected, including the families of those who passed away or were seriously injured.

He adds that the airline has cooperated throughout the legal process and will continue to do so.

However, any appeal against the court's decision will depend on insurers.

"The appeal will have to come from the insurers if they decided to appeal because the compensation is covered by insurance, so it will be their decision. Usually in a case like this, there is an avenue for appeal against the sum awarded," said Mr Clements.

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Around the time the tragedy occured, I do remember reading that all SIA flights are insured for between US$1.1 billion and US$1.3 billion. Definately nothing more or less than that.