US family sues Nasa for $80,000 in damages after space debris hits home
A family in Naples, Florida, whose home was struck by debris that fell to Earth from outer space and punched a hole in the roof is pursuing $80,000 from Nasa in compensation for damages.
The law firm Cranfill Sumner said in a press release that it filed a claim on behalf of plaintiff Alejandro Otero and his family.
A metallic cylinder slab from a cargo pallet that had been released by the International Space Station in 2021 hit the Otero family home on 8 March 2024 while their son Daniel was home. No one was injured, though it created a hole in the roof and floor.
Otero told Wink News that the object almost hit his son, who was two rooms over.
The US space agency later confirmed the debris was from its flight support equipment. A section of the debris remained intact rather than disintegrating after it entered Earth’s atmosphere before falling to the surface.
New roof and floor. Plus whatever other damage to the room, plus a bit of buffer for legal fees.
Surprised that they having to go to court. Like “we pay your repair bills, some for the lawyer. Everyone wins.”
Might be required for whatever insurance process NASA has to follow.
Policy requirements like that are why you see scenarios where people are suing family members when the issue is clearly covered by insurance.
Federal government agencies rarely have insurance for things like these. The federal government is self-insured.