Family of Boeing whistleblower John Barnett accuses company of hounding him before he committed suicide
The family of a former Boeing quality control manager, John Barnett, who tragically took his own life after facing intense scrutiny and harassment from Boeing’s lawyers regarding his whistleblowing activities, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the aviation giant. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in South Carolina, alleges that Boeing engaged in a systematic campaign of harassment and intimidation against Barnett, ultimately leading to his untimely death.
According to court documents, Barnett, who had worked for Boeing for 32 years before retiring in 2017, had raised concerns about quality issues and safety procedures at Boeing’s South Carolina plant. He had also blown the whistle on potential defects in Boeing’s jumbo jets, including issues with the oxygen systems on the 787 planes. Despite bringing these concerns to the attention of his supervisors and others, Barnett was met with indifference and hostility.
As a result of his whistleblowing activities, Barnett was allegedly subjected to inaccurate job reviews, undesirable shifts, and public blame for delays at the company. This relentless mistreatment took a toll on Barnett’s mental health, leading to a diagnosis of PTSD and a downward spiral in his mental well-being.
The lawsuit filed by Barnett’s family contends that Boeing’s actions directly contributed to Barnett’s death, whether intentionally or not. The family seeks compensation for emotional distress, lost wages, health expenses, and other damages resulting from Barnett’s tragic passing.
Alaska Airlines Incident
The lawsuit comes in the wake of heightened scrutiny of Boeing’s safety culture following a recent incident involving an Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 plane. In this incident, the door panel of the aircraft blew off mid-flight, raising concerns about the safety of Boeing’s aircraft. A panel of experts appointed by the Federal Aviation Administration identified a lack of awareness of safety-related metrics and quality control issues at Boeing, further underscoring the company’s shortcomings in ensuring the safety of its aircraft.
The lawsuit does not specify the amount of damages sought by Barnett’s family but seeks compensation for the emotional and financial toll inflicted on the family as a result of Barnett’s death.
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or a suicidal crisis, please reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for support. Additionally, for mental health care resources and support, you can contact the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) HelpLine.
