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

*By Dwaipayan Roy | September 27, 2025*

**Overview**

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

Barnett had alleged retaliation after raising safety concerns during his tenure at Boeing, a case he was pursuing before his untimely death.

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**Aftermath and Impact**

Barnett’s death shed light on Boeing’s safety practices and triggered intense global scrutiny of the company’s work culture, especially at its North Charleston, South Carolina manufacturing plant. This facility is notably responsible for producing the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

At the same time, Boeing’s Seattle plant was under federal investigation following an incident where a door-shaped plug blew out of an airborne 737 Max aircraft, adding to the company’s challenges.

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**Details of the Settlement**

On September 26, Boeing and Barnett’s family reached a “full, final and confidential settlement,” as stated in a recent legal filing. The agreement includes the dismissal of all claims brought by Barnett and his estate, including those he was actively pursuing before his death.

Of the $50,000 settlement, $20,000 will cover legal fees and costs, with the remainder paid to the plaintiffs.

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**Background: Barnett’s Safety Concerns**

John Barnett joined Boeing in 1988 after working on NASA’s Space Shuttle program. Over the years, he raised several concerns regarding declining safety protocols at the North Charleston plant, particularly between 2010 and 2017.

Barnett claimed that employees were pressured to overlook defects and prioritize production quotas over quality, which compromised safety.

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**Whistleblower Claims and Regulatory Response**

Barnett also alleged that some parts used during aircraft assembly were missing or improperly documented, pointing to inadequate safety checks.

While the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed some of the issues Barnett raised, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) dismissed his claims in favor of Boeing in 2021. Barnett filed an appeal against OSHA’s decision before his death.

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This settlement concludes a difficult chapter for Boeing and highlights ongoing concerns regarding safety and workplace culture within the aerospace giant.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/boeing-has-settled-a-wrongful-death-lawsuit-for-50-000/story