This archive report was first published on 9 August 2019.
On March 10, 2019, a devastating crash of an Ethiopian Airlines plane shocked the world, claiming the lives of 157 people, including six Kenyans. Now, their families are taking a historic step by suing Boeing, the American airplane maker, in a US court.
According to reports, at least six Kenyan families have instructed a consortium of Kenyan and American lawyers to demand justice for their loved ones. This unprecedented move is a testament to the families' determination to hold Boeing accountable for the tragedy.
As the case unfolds, the lawyers will have to issue a claim notice to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the agency responsible for regulating airplane manufacturing and air travel. The FAA is accused of conspiring with Boeing to produce un-airworthy planes, but a suit against the agency cannot take effect until six months have passed.
Meanwhile, the victims' lawyers from Kenya and the US are gathering evidence from both the families and expert analysis to proceed with the case against Boeing. The suit was filed at the Northern District Court in Illinois State, and a second pre-trial conference is expected to take place in the coming weeks or months.
Should the case proceed to trial, it could take at least 18 months to two and a half years to conclude. A jury will be selected from the general public to sit in judgment of the case, and the victims' lawyers must convince them of Boeing's negligence and recommend damages.
Any dissatisfied party can appeal at the US Court of Appeal and later at the Supreme Court. The outcome of this case will be closely watched, as it could have significant implications for the aviation industry and the families of the victims.
