Boeing Settles Whistleblower Wrongful Death Case

Boeing Co has agreed to pay at least $50,000 to settle a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of John Barnett, a former employee and whistleblower who died by suicide in March 2024.

Of the settlement, $20,000 will cover legal fees, with the remainder going to Barnett’s family. The agreement includes a “full, final and confidential settlement” that dismisses all claims brought by Barnett and his estate, including ongoing litigation at the time of his death. The details of any additional payments by Boeing were not disclosed.

Boeing emphasized in court filings that it “denied and continues to deny that any act or omission on its part” contributed to Barnett’s death. In a statement, the company 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.”

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Barnett had filed complaints alleging retaliation after raising safety concerns at Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner factories in North Charleston, South Carolina. His death brought global attention to Boeing’s manufacturing practices and workplace culture. At the time, the company was also under federal investigation for a Seattle-area factory incident where a door-shaped plug detached from a 737 Max in flight.

The federal judge in Charleston has been asked to approve the settlement, which officially resolves all legal claims tied to Barnett’s estate.

Court approval is pending, and Boeing’s wider internal and federal reviews of safety procedures remain ongoing.