Boeing 737 Max: Survivors are suing for millions in damages

Boeing has been ordered to pay $49.5 million, $29 million, and $28.45 million to the families of three passengers who died in the 2019 crash of an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8. A federal district court jury in the United States reached this decision, marking a financial resolution for the families after years of legal battles. While most families have already accepted confidential settlement agreements, these rulings represent the culmination of protracted litigation. The two crashes involving the 737 Max model resulted in 346 fatalities, 189 in 2018 with Lion Air and 157 in 2019 with Ethiopian Airlines. Both accidents were linked to faulty flight control software, which Boeing had failed to adequately train pilots on. The initial investigation placed blame on the pilots, but as evidence emerged, it became clear that Boeing had neglected proper training for the new software. In 2021, Boeing agreed to a three-year compliance and ethics program with the U.S. government to avoid criminal prosecution. However, the company violated the agreement, prompting President Joe Biden’s administration to initiate a criminal proceeding. During this time, former president Donald Trump was still in office, and his administration chose to drop the charges. As a result, Boeing avoided prison time for its executives but settled for a fine of $243.6 million and established a $944.5 million fund for victims' families. Airlines received a total of $1.77 billion in compensation for the temporary grounding of the 737 Max fleet. Despite these settlements, some family members refused to accept the outcome. They attempted to take on the role of prosecutors, but Boeing's legal team successfully blocked their efforts. Civil lawsuits for damages continued, though they faced challenges. Families of Lion Air victims encountered setbacks because the plane crashed into the sea, denying them access to a jury trial. A single judge would decide their cases, making it more cost-effective for Boeing. This allowed the company to negotiate secret settlements and avoid verdicts. One of the attorneys representing the families misused millions of dollars, leading to further legal action. In contrast, the Ethiopian Airlines crash occurred on land, granting the families the right to a jury trial. However, Boeing managed to settle nearly all remaining claims through confidential agreements. Over 100 pending lawsuits were consolidated under a federal district court in Northern Illinois. Judges repeatedly used smaller case groups as precedents for juries, but Boeing consistently resolved these cases through last-minute settlements. The legal battle spanned seven and a half years, during which disputes arose over admissible evidence, witness testimony, instructions given to jurors, and whether victims could claim compensation for fear and pain before impact. Boeing’s lawyers achieved partial victories, including leveraging Illinois law, which limits compensation for non-physical suffering unless it results from physical injury. In November 2025, the first jury delivered a ruling, awarding $28.45 million to the relatives of Shikha Garg, an Indian UN employee who recently married. Boeing’s legal team played a crucial role in preventing the jury from learning about her pregnancy, which could have influenced the outcome. This case exemplifies the complex and prolonged legal journey faced by the families of the 737 Max crash victims, highlighting the extensive efforts by Boeing to resolve claims without facing public scrutiny or judicial accountability.