Thanks ExXB - fortunately my days of Warsaw, ("as amended by", and with all the various etceteras) are behind me now - and certainly no "alas" about that!
However, although realising the quoted sums weren't fixed payments (i.e. could claim), I was nevertheless surprised by the wording "Without proof of negligence ...".
As you say, doubtless in reality it's not that simple, otherwise, especially in litigative society, the queues for the courts would be around the block! Also Flight magazine wasn't renowned for getting things absolutely right.
Thanks for your link which although I've just quickly scanned through, includes some interesting cases and references. I'd thought that Franklin Mint always believed they had their own license to make money!