The family of a Boeing whistleblower who committed suicide last year after raising safe concerns about the airline's factory last year filed an unlawful death lawsuit against the company, alleging that he was being subjected to “harassment, abuse and threats.”
Former Boeing quality manager John Burnett shot his truck temple in the South Carolina hotel parking lot in March last year, days after harsh testimony in a bomb lawsuit over the company's production standards.
Boeing said he was “all been exposed to a campaign of harassment, abuse and threats.”
“Boeing broke John and it threatened to break him,” the family's lawyer argued in court documents.
Burnett, 62, worked for Boeing for more than 30 years before retiring in 2017.
During his tenure there, he said he had raised many safety complaints with his boss. It was ignored, especially when he worked at the company's Charleston factory.
Boeing intentionally retaliated Burnett with poor employment reviews and less desirable changes, according to the lawsuit.
The company also publicly denounced him for the delay that confused his colleagues, and prevented him from moving to another factory, the lawsuit allegedly.
After he retired, he became a whistleblower and spoke with journalists about his concerns about the company.
His mental state has become spiral and he is diagnosed with PTSD.
“Whether Boeing intended to drive John to his death or simply destroy his ability to function, it was absolutely foreseeable that PTSD and John's unbearable depression, panic attacks and anxiety would lead to an increased risk of suicide,” the lawsuit said.
“Boeing may not have pulled the trigger, but Boeing's actions were a clear and foreseeable cause of John's death.”
Burnett was found on a Dodgeram truck by Charleston police on March 9th, and suicide notes were caught in a notebook.
“I can't do this anymore! That's enough!” he wrote.
“America,” he continued.
Burnett's family seeks coverage for emotional distress and mental anguish, Backpay, 10 years of future earnings, bonuses, health expenses, and his lost life insurance benefits.
If you are suffering from the thought of suicide, or have experienced a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-Well for free confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside of the five districts, dial the National Suicide Prevention Hotline 24/7 at 988; siadypreventionlifeline.org.
With post wire
