That sucks!
I had an 8GB flash drive that bit the bullet the same way last year. My niece (2 years old at the time) kicked a box right into the computer, that was sitting on the floor with the USB key plugged in the front port. Needless to say, I learned my lesson, and now have both a USB hub, and a USB cable extension, just in case
And that's actually something I'm really worried about for my USB portable hard drive. It uses one those standard mini usb plug, but it feels so flimsy when I plug it in, I'm scared it might get torn right off