Local law group files federal lawsuit against Boeing

SEATTLE — The Herrman Law Group said it filed a federal lawsuit against Boeing Wednesday on behalf of the families of two victims who died in the crash of a Boeing 737 Max 8 operated by Ethiopian Airlines.

The suit alleges that Boeing’s 737 Max 8 was defective in its design and concealed the presence and dangers of a new computer system on the aircraft from pilots, airlines and the Federal Aviation Administration.

It also alleges Boeing failed to fully inform pilots of the dangers of the new computer system even after a Boeing 737 Max 8 crashed in Indonesia on Oct. 29, 2018.

In a press release, The Herrmann Law Group's complaint alleges Boeing "crossed the line between simple negligence and intentional misconduct when it concealed the dangers created by these defects in design, first from the FAA in the certification process, then in advertising to its airline customers, and worst of all, in failing to properly train and inform pilots."

Back in March, a representative of a passenger killed in the Ethiopian Airlines crash sued Boeing. It was filed in federal court in Illinois by the administrator of the estate of Jackson Musoni, a Rwandan citizen.

Lawyers for the family said Boeing was negligent in designing the aircraft.

Just recently, Boeing’s CEO said the company would consider temporarily shutting down production of the 737 Max if the plane’s return is significantly delayed beyond the company’s October forecast.

"Years of experience representing hundreds of victims has revealed a common thread through most air disaster cases," said Charles Herrmann, the principle of Herrmann Law Group. "Generating profit in a fiercely competitive market too often involves cutting safety measures."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Cox Media Group