I guess it's a lesson. Never personally invest yourself into any company, since - as just a foot soldier - you have zero control over the events.

Even if you have a chance to get your walkaway money, it's just a job. They pay you for your skills and your talent, not your personal life. Be involved, be professional, care, but do not get personally attached.

What you bring from a job is learning experience and new friendships, but the job itself should be viewed as a pretty ephemeral concept. Never fall for the "we are a family" line - it's incredibly hard to be fired from a "family".

Those employees definitely ended up in a shitty situation, but there are no grounds for a lawsuit.