Story perspectives

Chicago Jury Awards $29 Million in Boeing Ethiopian Crash Suit

8/14/2026

Summary

Story summary

A Chicago jury awarded $29 million to the family of Michael “Mick” Ryan, a UN Food Programme engineer killed in the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crash.
Ryan’s widow, Naoise Connolly Ryan, filed the lawsuit against Boeing.
Boeing expressed sorrow and acknowledged anti-stall software was involved in the March 10 2019 crash that killed all 157 aboard.
Attorney Steven Marks said the verdict demonstrates accountability after the family rejected a $1.4 million “blood money” offer.

History

Historical Context

After ValuJet’s May 11 1996 Flight 592 crash killed 110 people and prompted the FAA to seek immediate re-certification and later ground the airline, sweeping safety reforms reshaped U.S. aviation oversight. The legacy of those reforms resurfaces in the 2024 Chicago verdict awarding Naoise Connolly Ryan $29 million after Steven Marks sued Boeing for the 2019 Ethiopian Airlines crash, reinforcing corporate liability.

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Story summary

A Chicago jury awarded $29 million to the family of Michael “Mick” Ryan, a UN Food Programme engineer killed in the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crash.
Ryan’s widow, Naoise Connolly Ryan, filed the lawsuit against Boeing.
Boeing expressed sorrow and acknowledged anti-stall software was involved in the March 10 2019 crash that killed all 157 aboard.
Attorney Steven Marks said the verdict demonstrates accountability after the family rejected a $1.4 million “blood money” offer.

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