Boeing agrees to pay $50,000 to settle lawsuit over 2024 suicide of whistle blower: What we know

Settlement Details - Boeing has agreed to a settlement of $50,000 with the family of John Barnett, a former quality inspector and whistleblower, following his death ruled as a suicide [1][9] - The settlement includes $20,000 allocated for legal fees, with the remaining amount going to the plaintiffs [9] Background on John Barnett - John Barnett, born on February 23, 1962, worked as a quality inspector at Boeing after a career that included roles in the US Air Force and Rockwell International [4][5] - He raised significant safety concerns regarding Boeing's manufacturing processes, particularly at the North Charleston plant, where he noted a decline in safety protocols and pressure to overlook defects [6][7] Safety Concerns Raised - Barnett reported issues such as discarded metal shavings near critical wiring and problems with up to 25% of the oxygen systems on Boeing's 787 aircraft [6][7] - He filed formal complaints with the FAA and OSHA, with the FAA confirming some of his concerns and instructing Boeing to address them [8] Company Response and Investigations - Boeing has denied any wrongdoing related to Barnett's claims and stated that it took actions years ago to address the issues he raised [10] - Following Barnett's death, Boeing faced scrutiny over its work culture and manufacturing processes, particularly in relation to the 787 Dreamliner and ongoing federal investigations into its Seattle facility [2]