Chicago Jury Awards $49.5 Million in Ethiopian Airlines Crash Case
A jury in Chicago has awarded $49.5 million to the family of a woman who lost her life in the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 MAX crash back in March 2019.
On Wednesday, the jury decided to give $21 million due to the family’s personal suffering during the accident, another $16.5 million for the loss of friendships, and $12 million specifically for their grief.
This marks the second jury verdict related to this tragic incident. In November, another jury had mandated Boeing to pay over $28 million to the families of UN environmental workers who were also victims of the 2019 crash.
Samya Stumo, 24, was among the 157 casualties when Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 went down mere minutes after taking off from Ethiopia on March 10, 2019. She worked with the non-profit organization ThinkWell and was en route to Nairobi, Kenya.
Boeing didn’t dispute liability in this case, and claims for punitive damages against Boeing executives and parts manufacturers were ultimately dismissed. However, the Stumo family’s attorneys plan to ask the Court of Appeals to reconsider punitive damages.
Following the two crashes that resulted in 346 deaths in Indonesia and Ethiopia, Boeing has faced numerous lawsuits. The company has resolved over 90% of these civil suits, paying billions through various legal channels.
Boeing stated on Thursday, “Though we have settled most of these claims, the families have every right to pursue court action, and we respect that right.”
This past March, the U.S. Court of Appeals upheld a ruling that supported the Justice Department’s choice to discard criminal charges against Boeing, permitting the company to steer clear of prosecution related to the crashes.
In a prior agreement, Boeing had intended to plead guilty in 2024 to conspiracy to defraud charges, but after President Trump took office, the Justice Department shifted stance in May 2025 and removed the requirement for a guilty plea. As a part of the revised agreement, Boeing will pay a new fine of $243.6 million, alongside $455 million to enhance compliance and safety programs, plus an additional $444.5 million towards the victims’ fund.
