If I may add my own two pence worth, I remember reading about the part apparently from the CO departure prior to Concorde.
Was there not a story running at the time that the part was in fact a non standard component? i.e. that the part ending up on the runway was made of a much tougher metal than what would normally be used?
I'm not sure how this "allegation" ended up but if true, then perhaps CO would be liable but that is the only scenario I could see them being taken to court for.
Anything other than that would be pointless.
(p.s. I'm not saying anything against CO, just what I remember reading!!!)