Family of Irish plane crash victim awarded $29m in

Irish Plane Crash Victim's Family Awarded $29m in Damages Amid Boeing Accountability Push

In a significant verdict, a jury in Chicago has awarded the family of an Irish United Nations employee who died in 2019 following a Boeing 737 Max crash in Ethiopia a total of $29 million in damages. The award was given to Michael 'Mick' Ryan's widow, Naoise Connolly Ryan, after she brought a civil suit against the aircraft manufacturer. The tragic incident occurred on March 10, 2019, when Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashed, killing all 157 people on board. Michael Ryan, a father of two from County Clare, was among those who lost their lives in the disaster. He had worked as an engineer with the United Nations World Food Programme. Naoise Connolly Ryan's lawyers have hailed the verdict as "an important measure of accountability and justice" for her family. According to Steven C Marks, who represented Ryan's widow, "While no financial award can ever replace a life or undo the profound loss his family has endured, we are grateful that the jury carefully considered the evidence and reached this decision." Marks also praised Connolly Ryan for pursuing justice with "extraordinary strength and determination." He added that Podhurst Orseck, the law firm representing Ryan's widow, were "honoured to stand beside her in her unwavering pursuit to hold Boeing accountable." The award marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to hold Boeing responsible for the tragedy. While the company has resolved nearly all of the claims through settlements, families are end to pursue their claims through the court process. In response to the verdict, a Boeing spokesperson expressed "deep regret" for those who lost loved ones in the crashes. The company stated that they respect the right for families to pursue their claims and acknowledged the importance of accountability in preventing such tragedies from happening again. The award is seen as a crucial step towards ensuring that those responsible are held accountable for their actions. As Marks noted, "Although the verdict marks a significant milestone, the broader effort to hold Boeing responsible for this tragedy, and to help prevent anything like it from happening again, is just as important." The incident has sparked widespread outrage and calls for greater accountability within the aviation industry. The award serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of such tragedies and the need for continued vigilance in ensuring that those responsible are held accountable.

Read more about Boeing's response to the incident

Key Takeaways:

• The family of an Irish United Nations employee who died in a Boeing 737 Max crash has been awarded $29 million in damages.
• The award was given after the employee's widow brought a civil suit against the aircraft manufacturer.
• The verdict is seen as a crucial step towards ensuring that those responsible are held accountable for their actions.

Related Stories:

• Boeing's Response to the Incident
• Iranian Plane Crash: Boeing 737 Max Crashes, Killing All 176 On Board

"We are deeply sorry to all who lost loved ones on Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302." - Boeing Spokesperson