What seems hidden in the statements of these plaintiffs is the difference in "Schmerzensgeld" and "Schadenersatz".
"Schadenersatz" is paid for loss of income, and is oriented on what you have actually lost in income from your husband, father, etc. as a dependant person from the victim.
What is being sought in this process is however "Schmerzensgeld" which is a compensation for indured psychological pain. Such compensation is usually much higher in the US than in Europe. Europe has a tradition that such psychological pain is part of life, while in the US it can be your financial jackpot.
That is why the lawyers are desperately trying to construct a link to US soil in the crash. It will be interesting to see if Lufthansa will give in to the attempt to avoid bad publicity, or if they will fight it out as the case seems ridiculous.
In Europe, the case hasn't made such a big headline, guess this is actually based on the tradition that "Schmerzensgeld" should not be your financial jackpot.