Boeing sued for death of whistleblower

Aerospace giants Boeing are being sued in relation to the death of a former employee-turned-whistleblower who later killed himself.

John Barnett was a long-time quality control manager for Boeing and made a record of alleged defects on the company’s globally-used jumbo jets. After Barnett’s allegations came to light he was questioned by Boeing lawyers for days, an ordeal that lawyers claim led to his death by suicide in March 2024.

Lawyers working for Barnett’s family wrote that he had endured a “campaign of harassment, abuse and intimidation intended to discourage, discredit and humiliate him until he would either give up or be discredited,” in the aftermath of his whistleblowing efforts.

“Whether or not Boeing intended to drive John to his death or merely destroy his ability to function, it was absolutely foreseeable that PTSD and John’s unbearable depression, panic attacks and anxiety … would in turn lead to an elevated risk of suicide,” the lawsuit continues. “Boeing may not have pulled the trigger, but Boeing’s conduct was the clear cause, and the clear foreseeable cause, of John’s death.”

CNN reports that Barnett had previously brought his concerns to his superiors but his comments were dismissed. At times, he felt that he was being actively punished with poor job reviews and tough shift patterns.

Barnett’s family allege that, within Boeing, Barnet was blamed for delays that frustrated his colleagues and he was eventually diagnosed with PTSD. Lawyers working on their behalf say that this spiralling mental health situation resulted in him becoming increasingly unstable leading up to his death.

Lawyers have not specified a monetary amount for the damages that they are seeking but they are suing for emotional distress, along with substantial back pay, lost future earnings and an array of lost bonuses and insurance expenses.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.