Boeing Reaches Settlement with Whistleblower’s Family

Charleston, SC

A settlement has been reached between Boeing and the family of John Barnett, a former employee and whistleblower who tragically died by suicide in March 2024. Barnett’s case has drawn significant attention due to his allegations regarding safety issues within the company, particularly concerning the 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

The U.S. District Court Judge Bruce Hendricks confirmed the settlement in a ruling filed on May 12, 2025. The lawsuit was originally filed by Barnett’s family two months prior, on March 19, 2025. As part of the settlement process, the lawsuit will be dismissed pending the completion of the settlement within 60 days, although specific details regarding the terms of the settlement remain undisclosed in the court order.

John Barnett, who was 62 years old at the time of his death, had a lengthy career with Boeing that spanned 32 years. Throughout his tenure, he consistently raised concerns over safety practices, particularly alleging problems related to substandard components and defective oxygen systems at Boeing’s Charleston facility. At the time of his death, the U.S. Department of Labor was actively investigating his whistleblower complaint.

On March 9, 2024, Barnett was discovered dead inside his truck parked outside a Holiday Inn in Charleston, with the Charleston County Coroner’s Office ruling his death a suicide. Following his passing, his family asserted that Barnett had faced severe retaliation at Boeing, claiming a hostile work environment contributed significantly to his struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, panic attacks, and depression.

In their lawsuit, Barnett’s family detailed specific allegations of bullying and humiliation he reportedly endured while raising safety concerns. They claimed that these experiences exacerbated his mental health struggles, ultimately leading to his tragic death. Barnett had expressed fears that unresolved safety issues within the company could lead to catastrophic incidents, a sentiment that gained further weight following several high-profile aircraft crashes related to Boeing.

Leading up to his deposition against Boeing, Barnett sought increased medication for his anxiety and experienced recurring nightmares concerning plane crashes, underscoring the significant psychological toll that his whistleblowing efforts had reportedly taken on him. His case gained momentum in public discussions after he initially shared his safety warnings with journalists in 2019, raising further scrutiny about Boeing’s workplace culture and safety protocols.

A spokesperson for Boeing, Libba Holland, extended condolences to Barnett’s family and noted that the company had implemented measures to review and address the concerns he raised. This settlement is seen as a pivotal moment amidst ongoing evaluations of Boeing’s operational standards and employee treatment practices.

The implications of Barnett’s case and the recent settlement continue to resonate, as it highlights the critical balance between corporate integrity and employee safety. Many advocates are hopeful that his story will foster more robust safety measures and a healthier work environment within the aerospace industry.