Boeing whistleblower John Barnett’s lawsuit could continue posthumously, and his estate could be substituted as the complainant, his attorney has said.
However, whistleblower attorney Stephen Kohn has said that his client’s death won’t necessarily end the lawsuit against Boeing. According to Mr. Kohn, Barnett’s estate could opt in as the complainant.
“He won’t be able to get reinstatement, but the estate should be able to get compensatory damages for the stress that he suffered and back retirement,” Mr. Kohn said.
According to the court filings in Barnett’s lawsuit, Boeing retaliated against him for exposing potential safety issues with the 787 Dreamliner, which entered commercial service on Oct. 26, 2011.
Barnett’s lawsuit also alleges the company targeted him with “downgraded performance reviews” and several instances of “removal from investigations, denial of transfers, harassment,” all of which the court filing claims amounted to a constructive discharge, or constructive dismissal, when an employee resigns due to a hostile work environment allegedly created by the employer.
Mr. Kohn said administrative law judges are well-versed in whistleblower law, but the sheer number of cases often keeps plaintiffs waiting to have their complaints heard for many years.
“Delays, lack of resources, you could be out of work and out of a job for years,” Mr. Kohn said.
Death Has Left Lawyers in Shock
Barnett’s death has left his attorneys, Brian Knowles and Robert Turkewitz, at a loss to explain why he would allegedly take his own life. In a media statement, the pair said they didn’t “see any indication he would take his own life. No one can believe it.”According to Mr. Knowles and Mr. Turkewitz, Barnett was in “very good spirits” and “looking forward to putting this phase of his life behind him and moving on.”
“John was a brave, honest man of the highest integrity. He cared dearly about his family, his friends, the Boeing company, his Boeing co-workers, and the pilots and people who flew on Boeing aircraft,” the attorneys said.
Mr. Knowles and Mr. Turkewitz said that men like Barnett, who had “sincere and forthright character,” are a rarity, and are urging police to consider every angle in their client’s sudden death.
“We need more information about what happened to John. The Charleston police need to investigate this fully and accurately and tell the public what they find out. No detail can be left unturned,” they said.
