Expired beacon battery on MH370 could be key for compensation - lawyers

Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak says special prayers for the victims of missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 at the National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur January 30, 2015. REUTERS/Olivia Harris

SYDNEY (Reuters) - The disclosure that an underwater locator beacon battery in the flight data recorder of MH370 had expired could be key in legal action against Malaysia Airlines over the fruitless search for the jetliner, lawyers for families of the passengers said on Monday.

U.S. law firm Kreindler & Kreindler LP, which is representing around 20 families, said the expired battery was "potentially very significant" in determining compensation if it had hurt the search for the missing plane.