Thu Nov 13 05:28:58 UTC 2025: News Article:
Boeing Ordered to Pay $28 Million in 737 MAX Crash Lawsuit, Reaching Settlement with Family
CHICAGO, November 13, 2025 – A federal jury in Chicago has ordered Boeing to pay over $28 million to the family of Shikha Garg, a United Nations environmental worker killed in the 2019 Ethiopian Airlines 737 MAX crash. This marks the first verdict in the dozens of lawsuits filed following the two fatal 737 MAX crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia, which claimed a total of 346 lives.
The verdict, delivered on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, finds Boeing liable for the wrongful death of Garg, who was 32 years old when Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashed shortly after takeoff from Addis Ababa. The lawsuit alleged that the 737 MAX was defectively designed and that Boeing failed to adequately warn passengers and the public about the plane’s dangers, particularly the automated flight control system that contributed to the crashes.
Shortly after the verdict, the parties reached an agreement where Garg’s family will receive $35.85 million, including interest, and Boeing will not appeal the decision.
“This verdict provides public accountability for Boeing’s wrongful conduct,” stated attorneys Shanin Specter and Elizabeth Crawford, representing the family.
In a statement, a Boeing spokeswoman expressed the company’s deep sorrow to all those who lost loved ones in the crashes. She acknowledged the company had resolved the vast majority of claims through settlements, while also respecting families’ right to pursue claims through court trials.
Boeing has already settled over 90% of the civil lawsuits related to the two accidents, paying out billions of dollars in compensation through various agreements. Just last week, on November 5th, the company settled three lawsuits brought by families of other victims of the Ethiopian Airlines crash, the details of which remain confidential.
The 737 MAX was grounded worldwide following the crashes, and only recently has been recertified for flight by the U.S. FAA after significant software updates and safety enhancements.
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