SAN DIEGO -- The U.S. government has been ordered to pay $17.845 million to a family that lost four members when a military jet crashed into their University City home in 2008, a U.S. district judge decided Wednesday.

Killed in the Dec. 8, 2008, crash were 36-year-old Youngmi Lee Yoon; her daughters, Grace Yoon, 15 months old; and Rachel Yoon, 7 weeks old; and Seokim Kim-Lee, Youngmi's 59-year-old mother.

The crash was blamed on a mechanical failure in the F/A-18D Hornet, as well as poor decisions by the pilot and personnel on the ground.

In a 16-page decision, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Miller said Youngmi Lee Yoon's husband, Don Yoon, should be awarded more than $9 million for lost wages, non-economic damages and loss of household services.

After the decision, attorney Brian Panish told the media, "Mr. Yoon says 'our family is relieved that this part of the process is over but no sum of money will ever make up for the loss of our loved ones.'"

"He's had a hard time through this holiday season and he's doing the best he can to get through every day but it's very difficult," Panish added.

Kim-Lee's husband, Sanghyun Lee, was awarded nearly $4 million in economic and non-economic damages.

Three adult children of Kim-Lee were awarded $1.5 million each.

During the civil trial, Panish argued Don Yoon was entitled to $56 million in damages.

U.S. Justice Department attorney Bruce Ross told the judge that the family was entitled to "just and reasonable" damages.

"The judge saw how close this family was, what a great relationship they had; and the only way you know what someone lost is to know what they had," Panish said of Miller's decision.

Panish said though they're satisfied with the verdict, they hope a message has been sent.

"The families believe that misguided attempts by the military to save money and cut corners cost their loved ones their lives," said Panish.