American Airlines didn't pay the victims' families: WE the US taxpayers did for the most part of the average $2.1 million award they received (one raised cain and actually got $7.1 million) came straight from the Federal Treasury (i.e., you, me and the taxpayers behind the tree).
If it had not been for the victim's compensation panel, the liability would have taken 25 years to thread through the courts. With no airlines flying, because they wouldn't be able to buy insurance. AA sells you a ticket to take you to your destination, not scatter you in little pieces all over lower Manhattan. There was PLENTY of liability to go around for September 11, I'm just surprised that AA wants to wake up this sleeping dog again and poke it with a stick!