自己算一下

airline liability, in the best outcome is

1. medical cost, this payment goes to your medical insurance company, you don't get anything except the deductibles you paid. 

2. pain and suffering,  for minor injury, it is 3-5 times the medical cost.  x5 is starting negotiation position. 

3.  loss of income, whatever she misses work

4.  loss of consortium, (家庭损失），比如家里小孩需要请保姆，度假计划取消的损失，等等. 

Let's say you get the lawyer, for 5000 medical bill, 15000 (x3) pain and suffering, and another $10,000 other loss => 30,000.  This case will never go to trial, I am sure, it's too minor. 

Lawyer takes away 1/3, so there is $20000 left, you have to repay medical insurance for the $5000, you get $15000.  

Let's say you negotiate yourself, 5000 medical bill,  10,000 (x2) pain and suffering, and another $5000 for other loss, you get $20,000.  

There is lots of fees I am not including, sometimes lawyer might have other costs coming out of your $20,000 award.  But also I don't know your relative's capability to talk to the airline, remember airline will not talk to you because you are not a lawyer.  Your relative has to talk to them.