Settlements Without a Spotlight
In November 2021, Boeing accepted responsibility for the Ethiopian Airlines crash, allowing victims’ families to pursue compensatory damages under Illinois law — including claims for emotional distress, economic loss, and pain and suffering. However, they relinquished the right to pursue punitive damages under that agreement.
“Boeing’s liability was never in question,” said Clifford, “but justice isn’t measured in dollars. It’s measured in truth and accountability.”
Boeing, for its part, issued a public statement expressing remorse. “We are deeply sorry to all who lost loved ones on Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302,” the company said Monday. “We remain committed to fairly compensating families and taking full legal responsibility for the accidents.”
A Legal and Emotional Marathon
Legal representation for the families includes top-tier litigation teams from Clifford Law Offices, Romanucci & Blandin, Mark Lindquist Law, and BartlettChen LLC. Boeing’s defense has been mounted by powerhouse firms Winston & Strawn LLP and Perkins Coie LLP.
As Boeing continues to navigate a storm of legal and reputational fallout, the latest settlements send a clear message: while the courtroom battles may be staggered, the pursuit of justice for the 737 Max’s victims is far from grounded.
