Charleston, S.C. — The family of a former Boeing quality control manager, John Barnett, who ended his life after a prolonged legal and emotional battle with the company, has taken legal action against the aircraft manufacturer. The wrongful death lawsuit filed in Charleston asserts that relentless pressure and unethical demands from Boeing contributed to Barnett’s tragic decision.
Barnett, who was associated with Boeing for over three decades until his retirement in 2017, succumbed to a self-inflicted gunshot wound on March 9, 2024. He was deeply engaged in a whistleblower lawsuit against the company, and according to his family, faced extensive interrogation and harassment over his allegations against Boeing, which included ignoring and concealing defects and failing to document aircraft build records accurately.
In documents submitted to the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina’s Charleston Division, the wrongful death and abuse of process lawsuit alleges senior Boeing officials pressured employees to bypass crucial quality checks and documentation standards set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). These actions, the suit claims, could lead to catastrophic consequences, such as in-air disintegration of planes.
Barnett, during his tenure, aimed to ensure impeccable adherence to safety standards. However, according to the lawsuit, Boeing’s management systematically undermined his efforts, fostering an environment that sidelined critical quality controls to maintain production timelines. This undue pressure, the family asserts, was part of a strategy to discourage and discredit Barnett, culminating in severe mental health challenges, including a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
In January 2017, Barnett sought recourse through a complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), accusing Boeing of retaliation. However, despite his efforts, Boeing allegedly engaged in tactics aimed at withholding critical documents and discrediting his claims, which reportedly added to his distress.
The sequence of events, as described by the lawsuit, illustrates a deepening rift between Barnett and Boeing, leading him to retire that same year. Despite his attempts to move on, the lawsuit articulates that the prolonged aftereffects of the alleged maltreatment proved overwhelming.
In two separate written statements, one a note left at the time of his death and an earlier email, Barnett expressed profound disillusionment with Boeing. These documents were included as part of the lawsuit to underscore the depth of his despair, attributed directly to his experiences at Boeing.
Boeing, in a statement on March 20, expressed sorrow over Barnett’s death and extended condolences to his grieving family.
The ramifications of the case extend beyond the immediate legal battle, as Barnett’s family seeks an array of damages, including compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, emotional distress, and legal costs.
This case highlights not only the personal toll disputes of this nature can exact but also the broader implications for corporate accountability and employee protections in high-stakes industries.
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