Boeing Ordered to Compensate $28M to Family of Indian Victim

Post by : Raina Nasser

A verdict from a jury in the United States has mandated that Boeing pay $28.45 million to the relatives of Shikha Garg, a consultant from New Delhi who tragically perished in the Ethiopian Airlines crash of 2019 involving a Boeing 737 MAX.

This ruling signifies a pivotal moment in the civil trials concerning the catastrophic Boeing 737 MAX crashes, which led to the loss of 346 lives in two separate incidents during 2018 and 2019. The determination was made by a jury in a Chicago federal court after just two hours of discussion, granting $10 million each for grief and pain and additional compensation.

Shikha Garg, serving with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), was amongst the 157 victims of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, which went down shortly after leaving Addis Ababa en route to Nairobi. This incident occurred only months following another deadly 737 MAX crash involving Lion Air in Indonesia that resulted in 189 casualties.

Her husband, Soumya Bhattacharya, expressed his acceptance of the jury's verdict, stating, “We came here for a jury trial, and it’s absolutely acceptable.” The couple had been married for a mere three months when the tragedy occurred, and Garg was on her way to a UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi at the time of her demise.

Boeing acknowledged its accountability regarding the Ethiopian Airlines incident, conveying profound sympathy to all families affected by both fatal MAX crashes. While the majority of claims have been resolved amicably, Boeing affirmed the right of families to pursue trial-based damages.

During proceedings, Boeing’s attorneys contended that the compensation should amount to a “fair and reasonable” $11.95 million, while the plaintiffs sought between $80 million and $230 million, emphasizing Garg’s potential and the substantial emotional toll on her family.

In his closing arguments, Boeing counsel Dan Webb conveyed a personal apology to Bhattacharya, clarifying that the trial focused on “compensation, not punishment.”

On the other hand, attorney Shanin Specter for the plaintiffs underscored Garg’s exceptional ability and future promise, stressing that her passing not only constituted a personal tragedy but also a significant loss for the community she impacted.

This ruling stands as a crucial chapter in the ongoing legal struggles linked to the Boeing 737 MAX, which faced widespread grounding for nearly two years after the twin disasters. Subsequent safety reforms and design adjustments were mandated prior to their return to operation.

This verdict is anticipated to influence similar claims pending in U.S. courts, as the families of victims seek justice for their loved ones lost in one of aviation’s most tragic episodes.