Few years back on a tristar belonging to a charter company, the passengers were informed prior to departure that the aircraft had suffered a problem with the landing gear. After take-off developed a bigger problem with the landing gear. Despite knowing it would slow them down, burn more fuel and lower the altitude, they took the decision to continue to london rather than circle, dump fuel and return to origin. It eventually diverted to Portugal. Emergency landing. Didn't make the press.
It happens more than whats advertised. Only now the press have the new compesation regulations as a reason to arouse suspicion amongst the public making it a more interesting read.
BA would not compromise the safety of its passengers for financial gain. It has a fairly good compensation policy in place as it is (better than most airlines). The Captain would have made the decision to continue as it was safe to do so. I'm fairly sure he wouldn't have been on the phone to management in London to ask how much money they would have to pay out if they returned to LAX, just so he can add that into the decision.
Think about it logically. You choose:
1 - Aircraft is safe so continue to destination.
2 - Aircraft not safe but continue anyway because of new compensation law, risk ditching, lose aircraft and hundreds of lives, face law suits, loss of life compensation, unrecoverable damage to business, thousands of greiving relatives on your conscience.