By Faruk Zorlu
Lawyers for victims’ families of a 2019 Ethiopian Airlines crash are seeking up to $58 billion in compensation, according to a report on Friday.
The move challenges Boeing’s recent settlement with a US agency.
Lawyers representing the families of those killed in the 2019 Boeing 737 Max crash are demanding between $47 billion and $58 billion in compensation -- significantly more than an initial $24.8 billion request, the APA news agency reported.
The move follows Boeing's recent deal with the US Department of Justice to plead guilty to criminal fraud and pay fines between $243.6 million and $487 million -- far less than the demands of the families.
The crash, which killed all 149 passengers shortly after takeoff from Bole International Airport, was linked to issues with the 737 Max arising from Boeing's cost-cutting and oversight failures.
The families’ lawyers argued that the proposed settlement does not sufficiently address the scale of the loss and suffering.
They have urged a court to reject the current agreement and impose a fine that better reflects the effect of the tragedy.
Boeing had previously admitted responsibility for the crash, acknowledging unsafe conditions with the aircraft.