Boeing To Pay Bereaved 737 Families $144,500 Each

September 24, 2019
229 Views
 

The picture of one of the crash victims of the Boeing disaster

Families who lost relatives in fatal Boeing 737 Max air crashes are set to receive about $144,500 (£116,200) each from the company.

The money comes from a $50m financial assistance fund, which Boeing announced in July.

The fund has started accepting claims, which must be submitted before 2020.

Lawyers for the victims’ families, many of whom are pursuing the company in court, have dismissed the fund as a publicity stunt.

“$144,000 doesn’t come close to compensating any of our families or any of the families,” said Nomaan Husain, a Texas-based attorney who is representing 15 families.

“This is not something that is going to satisfy the families. The families really want answers.”

Diversion tactic?

The 737 Max has been grounded since March, as investigators evaluate the airplane’s safety following fatal crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia, which claimed the lives of more than 340 people.

Boeing in July pledged $100m to families and communities affected by the crashes.

The company later said half would be reserved for direct payments to families, with the other half set aside for education and development programmes in affected communities.

Robert A Clifford, lead counsel for the Ethiopian Airlines 302 litigation, said the lack of detail at the time of the initial announcement suggested Boeing saw it primarily as a way to divert attention from the safety questions.

Family members, many of whom would like to see memorials erected, continue to have questions about how the company intends to spend the other $50m, he added.

“One of the most haunting things about an aviation disaster like this is that the families do not in many instances get anything back,” he said.

‘Important step’

In a statement, Boeing chief executive Dennis Muilenberg called the opening of the fund to family claims an “important step” in the firm’s efforts to help relatives of the people who died in the Boeing 737 Max 8 crashes.

Participation in the fund is voluntary.

Families who submit claims will not have to waive their right to file separate lawsuits against the firm, said Kenneth R Feinberg, administrator for the financial assistance money, who has overseen the distribution of money for victims of the September 11 attacks, among other funds.

You may be interested

AFCON 2025Q: New Boy Osho, Iheanacho, Start For Super Eagles Vs Benin Republic
Sports
Sports

AFCON 2025Q: New Boy Osho, Iheanacho, Start For Super Eagles Vs Benin Republic

Webby - November 14, 2024

The Super Eagles will line-up in a 3-4-3 formation in tonight’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying tie against Benin…

My Goal Was To Achieve Success With Ten Hag At Man United –De Ligt
Sports
Sports

My Goal Was To Achieve Success With Ten Hag At Man United –De Ligt

Webby - November 14, 2024

Netherlands international Matthijs de Ligt has suggested Erik ten Hag didn’t get the breaks he needed to keep his job…

I Want To Take My Game To New Level –Lookman
Sports
Sports

I Want To Take My Game To New Level –Lookman

Webby - November 13, 2024

Super Eagles winger Ademola Lookman has reiterated his commitment to take his game to the next level.The Nigerian international, who…

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.