Boeing has reached a settlement in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the mother of John Barnett, a former quality manager and whistleblower whose death drew widespread attention earlier this year. The settlement was filed on Friday in the U.S. District Court in South Carolina.
Under the agreement, Boeing will pay at least $50,000 to Barnett’s mother, who in turn has agreed to drop her claims that the aerospace giant played a role in her son’s suicide on March 9, 2024. Additional undisclosed terms were included in the settlement, resolving a whistleblower retaliation case that Barnett’s mother had continued to pursue on his behalf.
Barnett, who worked for Boeing for 32 years before leaving in 2017, became known for raising concerns about safety and production issues at the company. He alleged that management retaliated against him for speaking up, claiming he was subjected to mistreatment and pressure after flagging potential risks that could compromise passenger safety.
At the time of his death, Barnett was in the midst of a deposition in his whistleblower retaliation case, intensifying public scrutiny of Boeing’s handling of employee complaints. His passing prompted renewed debate over how corporations treat whistleblowers who expose safety and compliance failures.
In a statement, Boeing expressed sympathy to the Barnett family, saying:
“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.”
Attorneys for Barnett’s mother, Robert Turkewitz and Brian Knowles, were not immediately available for comment.
The settlement closes a high-profile chapter in Boeing’s legal battles, but it leaves open broader questions about corporate accountability, whistleblower protections, and safety oversight within the aviation industry.
