Boeing Settles Wrongful Death Lawsuit Linked to Deceased Whistleblower

Boeing (BA.N) on Friday reached a settlement in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the mother of former employee John Barnett, who had raised concerns about the plane maker’s production practices that he believed could endanger passengers.

Under the agreement, filed in U.S. District Court in South Carolina, Boeing agreed to pay Barnett’s mother at least $50,000 in exchange for her dropping claims that the company played a role in her son’s March 9, 2024, suicide.

At the time of his death, Barnett had been testifying in a whistleblower retaliation case against Boeing. He had worked at the company for 32 years before leaving in 2017, later alleging that Boeing management mistreated him after he voiced safety concerns.

The settlement also includes undisclosed terms resolving the retaliation claims his mother had pursued on his behalf.

“We are deeply saddened by Mr. Barnett’s passing and extend our condolences to his family as we reach this resolution,” Boeing said in a statement, adding that it had taken steps years ago to review and address the issues Barnett raised.

Attorneys representing Barnett’s mother, Robert Turkewitz and Brian Knowles, could not immediately be reached for comment.

(This story has been updated to clarify that Boeing reached a settlement but did not itself file the agreement, as stated in paragraph 1.)