Most courts consider suffering in judging quantum, but trying this argument before a hearing where the alleged facts seem to ridicule their claim decimates any support for the airline.
The other issue that concerns me are the amounts involved. The relatives are claiming 50,000 euros and Lufthansa wants to pay 25,000. Even ignoring the USA, these sums seem derisory. If a family has lost a sole bread winner it wont even cover the first year's costs.......I am not discussing what the various conventions require the airlines to pay, I am commenting on the probity of these amounts which IMHO totally fail to compensate the relatives.