Copyright timesnownews
Aviation giant Boeing will have to pay USD 50,000 to settle the wrongful death case of one of its former employees who was sacked from the job after he flagged safety concerns at one of the manufacturing plants. The whistleblower, named John Barnett, had filed a case against the plane maker, raising safety concerns at their plants. John Barnett, who was removed from the job after he filed the litigation, died in March 2024. Barnett’s death was later declared a suicide and made global headlines, turning the world’s attention towards manufacturing practices by aviation giants such as Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner factories in North Charleston, South Carolina, and the Seattle-area factory, which was already under federal investigation after a door-shaped plug blew out of a 737 Max while airborne. Settling the case finally, Boeing and the other side have agreed to a full, final, and confidential settlement that will dismiss all claims brought by Barnett and his estate. This also includes the case that was being pursued at the time of his death. Besides the full and final settlement and a payment of USD 50,000, no other details of the case closure have surfaced. Also, out of the USD 50,000, $20,000 will be paid as the case fee, while the remaining $30,000 will be kept by the family. In a statement, Boeing said, "We are saddened by Mr. Barnett's death and extend our condolences to his family as we reach this resolution… Boeing took actions several years ago to review and address the issues that Mr Barnett raised."
