Boeing Ordered to Compensate $28 Million to Family of Indian Crash Victim

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

This decision marks a significant moment as it is the inaugural civil trial concerning the tragic aircraft incidents which together resulted in the loss of 346 lives in 2018 and 2019. After two hours of deliberation, the jury in a Chicago federal court awarded $10 million each for the grief and pain endured alongside further compensation.

Shikha Garg was among the 157 casualties of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, which crashed shortly after departing from Addis Ababa towards Nairobi. Her tragic death came mere months after a similar tragedy involving Indonesia's Lion Air, which claimed 189 lives.

Garg’s spouse, Soumya Bhattacharya, shared his acceptance of the verdict, noting, “We came here for a jury trial, and it’s absolutely acceptable.” The couple had been together for just three months when the incident occurred, as she was en route to a UN Environment Assembly.

Boeing expressed its acknowledgment of responsibility regarding the Ethiopian Airlines crash, offering heartfelt condolences to the families affected by both MAX accidents. The firm stated that while many claims were resolved outside the courtroom, it grants families the opportunity to pursue their claims through trials.

During court proceedings, Boeing’s defense posited that the compensation sought should be “fair and reasonable,” proposing a total of $11.95 million in damages. Conversely, the plaintiffs had aimed for compensation between $80 million and $230 million, highlighting Garg’s potential and the profound emotional turmoil her husband and family experienced.

In closing statements, Boeing attorney Dan Webb personally expressed regret to Bhattacharya in the courtroom, asserting that the case focused on “compensation, not punishment.”

Meanwhile, plaintiff attorney Shanin Specter praised Garg’s talent and future prospects, stating that her death not only signified a personal tragedy but also a loss for the global community she was a part of.

This ruling plays a pivotal role in the ongoing legal challenges surrounding Boeing’s 737 MAX jets, which faced worldwide grounding for nearly two years following the two catastrophic incidents. Subsequent safety reforms and design modifications were mandated prior to the return of these aircrafts to the skies.

The decision is anticipated to set a benchmark for numerous pending similar cases in US courts, as families endeavor to secure justice for their loved ones during this tragic episode in aviation history.