Category: manufacturing

**Boeing Settles Wrongful Death Lawsuit Over Whistleblower’s Suicide for $50,000**

*By Dwaipayan Roy | September 27, 2025*

Boeing has reached a settlement in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of John Barnett, a quality inspector and whistleblower who died by suicide in March 2024. The settlement amount totals $50,000.

### Background: Barnett’s Whistleblower Claims

John Barnett joined Boeing in 1988 after working on NASA’s Space Shuttle program. During his tenure as a quality inspector, he raised multiple safety concerns, particularly regarding the Boeing 787 Dreamliner being produced at the North Charleston, South Carolina plant. Barnett alleged a decline in safety protocols between 2010 and 2017, claiming that employees were pressured to overlook defects in order to meet production quotas.

He reported that some parts were missing or inadequately documented during assembly, suggesting serious lapses in safety checks. While the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed some of the issues Barnett pointed out, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) initially dismissed his claims in Boeing’s favor in 2021—a decision Barnett later appealed.

### Aftermath: Spotlight on Boeing’s Safety Culture

Barnett’s death drew global attention to Boeing’s manufacturing practices and workplace culture, particularly at the North Charleston facility. Concurrently, Boeing’s Seattle plant faced federal scrutiny after an incident involving a door-shaped plug detaching from an airborne 737 Max.

### Details of the Settlement

On September 26, Boeing and Barnett’s family agreed to a “full, final and confidential settlement,” according to court filings. The agreement requires the dismissal of all claims filed by Barnett and his estate, including the lawsuit he was pursuing before his death.

Of the $50,000 settlement:

– $20,000 will cover legal fees and costs
– The remaining amount will be paid directly to the plaintiffs

This settlement concludes the wrongful death litigation related to Barnett’s suicide and the retaliation claims he had brought against Boeing.

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John Barnett’s case highlights ongoing concerns about safety and employee treatment within the aerospace industry, renewing calls for transparency and accountability at Boeing’s manufacturing facilities.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/boeing-has-settled-a-wrongful-death-lawsuit-for-50-000/story