Boeing has reached a confidential settlement with Paul Njoroge, a Canadian man who lost his entire family in the 2019 Ethiopian Airlines crash. The accident involved a Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
Njoroge’s wife, three children, and mother-in-law were all killed in the tragic crash. His children were just 6, 4, and 9 months old. The plane crashed shortly after takeoff, killing all 157 people on board.
The trial was set to begin on Monday in a Chicago federal court. It would have been the first trial over the two fatal Boeing 737 MAX crashes. But with this new deal, that trial has been avoided.
A Pain That Can’t Be Measured
Paul Njoroge has been one of the most vocal family members since the crash. He has spoken in front of the U.S. Congress. He has blamed Boeing for putting profits over safety.
His lawyer, Robert Clifford, confirmed the settlement but didn’t share the terms. The deal avoids a long, painful trial, but many feel Boeing is just trying to escape deeper accountability.
Boeing Faces Billions in Costs
The 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019 killed 346 people. These crashes led to the global grounding of the 737 MAX for 20 months.
Since then, Boeing has paid over $20 billion in fines, lawsuits, and other settlements. More than 90% of the civil lawsuits have now been settled.
But the fight isn’t over. Another trial involving six more victims is scheduled for November 3. Njoroge’s lawyer will represent their families too.
A Deal That Saves Boeing, But Hurts Trust
Earlier this year, Boeing struck a plea deal with the U.S. Justice Department. The deal lets Boeing avoid being labeled a convicted criminal. It also means no outside monitor will watch the company’s safety practices.
Many victims’ families are angry. They believe Boeing lied to U.S. regulators about a faulty flight system in the 737 MAX. That system played a key role in both crashes.
The deal makes it easier for Boeing to move on. But for families like Paul Njoroge’s, the wounds remain open.
Boeing declined to comment on the latest settlement. But the public pressure is growing. More people now question how big companies handle mistakes that kill.
Paul Njoroge may have gotten a settlement. But justice? That’s still up in the air.
