All 150 people on board died in the crash, including the co-pilot who appears to have brought down the plane deliberately. Two of the people aboard were from the US, opening up the possibility starting there in which all claimants could participate. Berlin-based lawyer Elmar Giemulla explained: 'And if you have a mixed group like that, then the others can apply to join the case.' 

Settlement being explored

German law does not provide the possibility of claiming for loss of future earnings and for distress to the family in the way that US law does. Lawyers might, however, persuade Lufthansa - owner of the Germanwings subsidiary whose plane crashed - to come to a settlement based on international standards of what families could claim. Source: ABA