A federal jury in Chicago has ordered Boeing to pay $35.85 million to the family of Shikha Garg, a 32-year-old United Nations environmental worker who lost her life in the 2019 Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crash. The ruling marks a significant milestone in the long-running legal battle over the Boeing 737 MAX disasters, which claimed 346 lives worldwide.
The decision, delivered on Wednesday, represents the first jury verdict among dozens of lawsuits stemming from the two fatal 737 MAX crashes — the Lion Air Flight 610 tragedy in Indonesia in October 2018, and the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crash in March 2019. Both accidents were traced to a defective automated flight control system that repeatedly forced the aircrafts’ noses downward, leaving pilots unable to maintain control.
Under a settlement reached between the parties just hours before the verdict, Garg’s family will receive a total of $35.85 million, which includes the full $28 million jury award plus 26% interest. Boeing has agreed not to appeal the decision, according to the family’s attorneys — signaling a definitive resolution in one of the most closely watched wrongful-death cases in modern aviation history.
Boeing Responds to the Verdict
In a statement following the judgment, a Boeing spokesperson expressed remorse, saying the company remains “deeply sorry to all who lost loved ones on the two flights.” The spokesperson emphasized that while Boeing has resolved most claims through settlements, it respects the right of victims’ families to seek justice in court.
“While we have resolved the vast majority of these claims through settlements, families are also entitled to pursue their claims through damages trials in court, and we respect their right to do so,” the company said.
Lawyers Hail Accountability
Attorneys Shanin Specter and Elizabeth Crawford, representing Garg’s family, described the verdict as a moment of long-overdue accountability.
“This verdict provides public accountability for Boeing’s wrongful conduct,” they said in a joint statement.
The family’s lawsuit alleged that Boeing knowingly placed a defective aircraft into service and failed to adequately warn regulators, pilots, and passengers about the risks associated with the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) — the controversial software linked to both crashes.
Remembering the Victims
Garg was among 157 people on board Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, which crashed shortly after takeoff from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, en route to Nairobi, Kenya. Her husband, an Indian government official, filed the lawsuit on behalf of their family.
The Ethiopian tragedy came just five months after Lion Air Flight 610 plunged into the Java Sea, killing 189 people. Investigators determined that erroneous sensor readings activated MCAS, forcing the plane into a dive despite pilots’ efforts to regain control.
Boeing’s Crisis and Aftermath
In the wake of the two disasters, Boeing grounded its entire 737 MAX fleet for nearly two years, sparking worldwide outrage, multiple investigations, and congressional hearings. The company eventually entered into a $2.5 billion deferred prosecution agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice, which included criminal penalties and compensation for victims’ families.
Since then, Boeing has settled more than 90% of the civil lawsuits arising from the two crashes, paying out billions in compensation. Earlier this month, on November 5, the company reached confidential settlements in three additional lawsuits filed by families of Ethiopian crash victims.
A Verdict That Sets a Precedent
Legal analysts view the Chicago ruling as a potential benchmark for remaining lawsuits still pending in U.S. courts. Beyond its financial implications, the decision also reignites scrutiny of Boeing’s corporate culture, safety practices, and regulatory oversight during the development of the 737 MAX — issues that continue to haunt the aerospace giant.
The verdict underscores the growing demand for transparency and accountability in the aviation industry, particularly regarding safety protocols, software testing, and communication with regulatory bodies. For many families, it is not only a legal victory but also a symbolic step toward closure after years of pain and unanswered questions.
The Long Road to Redemption
Boeing’s reputation has struggled to recover since the MAX crises. The company’s leadership has repeatedly pledged to overhaul internal safety systems, strengthen pilot training programs, and improve communication with global regulators. However, skepticism remains strong among industry observers and the flying public.
The 737 MAX, once heralded as the future of commercial aviation, became a symbol of corporate failure and regulatory complacency. While the aircraft has since been cleared to fly and is back in commercial service, Boeing continues to face challenges rebuilding trust with passengers, airlines, and regulators worldwide.
As the Garg family receives justice, attention now turns to how Boeing will confront its lingering image problem and ensure that similar tragedies never occur again. The verdict may serve as both a financial warning and a moral reckoning for one of the world’s largest aircraft manufacturers.
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