Chicago Jury Orders Boeing to Pay $28 Million to Family of UN Worker Killed in 737 MAX Crash

A federal jury in Chicago has ordered Boeing to pay more than $28 million to the family of Shikha Garg, a United Nations environmental specialist who died in the 2019 Ethiopian Airlines 737 MAX crash.

The decision marks the first trial verdict among numerous lawsuits arising from the Ethiopian Airlines and Lion Air tragedies in 2019 and 2018, which together claimed 346 lives.

After roughly two hours of deliberation, the jury awarded Garg’s family a total exceeding $28 million, including $10 million for grief and $10 million for pain and suffering.

Shikha Garg

“We happily accept the verdict,” said Garg’s husband, Soumya Bhattacharya, expressing satisfaction with the outcome.

Boeing, which previously accepted responsibility for the crash, issued a statement extending condolences, saying it remains “deeply sorry” for the lives lost in both disasters. The company noted that while most claims have been settled, families have the right to seek damages through court trials.

Attorneys for Bhattacharya had sought $80–$230 million, while Boeing proposed $11.95 million in compensation. The jury’s decision settled on a figure significantly higher than Boeing’s offer but below the plaintiff’s request.

Garg’s case stemmed from the March 10, 2019, crash, which occurred six minutes after takeoff from Addis Ababa en route to Nairobi, killing all 157 passengers and crew. She was traveling to attend a UN Environment Assembly and had been married just three months earlier; her husband had canceled his ticket at the last moment for work reasons.

During closing arguments, Boeing attorney Dan Webb acknowledged the company’s remorse and told jurors the trial was solely about fair compensation, not punishment. Plaintiff’s lawyer Shanin Specter, meanwhile, emphasized the loss of Garg’s “brilliant” potential and the deep grief her husband continues to endure.