Background and Context
In a significant development, Boeing has been ordered by a U.S. court to pay $28.45 million to the family of Shikha Garg, an Indian national who tragically lost her life in the 2019 Ethiopian Airlines plane crash. This ruling marks the first civil lawsuit settlement related to this tragic incident.
Who is Shikha Garg?
Shikha Garg was a resident of New Delhi, India. Her life came to an end in the ill-fated flight that crashed six minutes after takeoff from Addis Abba en route to Nairobi. Her unfortunate demise has led to this legal battle, highlighting the profound impact of the accident on individuals and their families.
The Accident and its Aftermath
The accident in question involves a Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, which met with a fatal end shortly after departure. This incident, along with another involving a Boeing 737 MAX operated by Lion Air, led to the worldwide grounding of Boeing’s 737 MAX fleet due to safety concerns. The tragedy resulted in the loss of 155 lives, prompting numerous families to seek justice through legal means.
Legal Proceedings and Verdict
The first civil lawsuit related to this accident commenced on November 3, 2021, in a federal court in Chicago. After two hours of deliberation, the jury decided on a settlement amount of $28.45 million to be paid by Boeing.
- Compensation for Loss and Suffering: The jury awarded $10 million to compensate for the pain of loss and another $10 million for Garg’s suffering and pain.
- Additional Compensations: The remaining amount covers other compensatory damages.
Soumya Bhattacharya, Garg’s widower, expressed acceptance of the verdict, stating, “We gladly accept the verdict.”
Other Legal Developments
In early November, Boeing reached a separate settlement with another plaintiff in this case. The terms of that agreement remain confidential.
Since April 2019, families of the 155 victims have filed lawsuits against Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines, seeking accountability for the tragic events that unfolded.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the significance of this ruling? This verdict marks the first civil lawsuit settlement related to the 2019 Ethiopian Airlines plane crash, highlighting the legal consequences for Boeing in light of this tragedy.
- Who is Shikha Garg? Shikha Garg was an Indian national from New Delhi who tragically lost her life in the plane crash.
- What was the nature of the accident? The Boeing 737 MAX aircraft crashed six minutes after takeoff from Addis Abba, resulting in the loss of 155 lives and prompting a global grounding of Boeing’s 737 MAX fleet.
- How many lawsuits have been filed? Families of the 155 victims have filed lawsuits between April 2019 and March 2021, seeking justice for their losses.
- What was the settlement amount in another case? Boeing reached a confidential settlement with another plaintiff in this case, but the exact amount remains undisclosed.
