The law firms representing the families of Antoine Lewis and Darcy Belanger announce settlements in their civil litigation against Boeing Corporation, as their trial was set to begin Monday, April 7, in federal District Court in Chicago. Both Lewis and Belanger were among the 157 people who died in the 2019 crash of a 737 MAX8 aircraft in Ethiopia in March 2019 minutes after takeoff from the Addis Ababa airport in Ethiopia.
The terms of the settlements are confidential. Settlements were reached late last night in the Boeing 737 MAX8 crash. Lawyers will speak after the 8:30 AM hearing on Monday, April 7, in Chicago Federal Court, 219 S. Dearborn, at the Dirksen Federal Building in Chicago on the first floor.
Antonio M. Romanucci, Founding Partner of Romanucci & Blandin in Chicago, is Lead Counsel on the Antoine Lewis case, along with Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner of Clifford Law Offices, who is Lead Counsel in the overall litigation. The family of Darcy Belanger is represented by Mark Lindquist of Mark Lindquist Law in Tacoma, Washington, Lead Counsel on that case, and Austin Bartlett of BartlettChen LLC of Chicago, along with Robert Clifford.
Lewis, 39, was a U.S. Army Captain from suburban Chicago, Illinois. Cpt. Lewis was on military leave, taking a trip to Africa to investigate opportunities to begin a logistics business that would address the systemic supply chain failures in the continent that fascinated him so deeply. He was approaching 20 years in the military, at which time he would have been eligible for his full military pension and eyeing a post-military life with his wife, fellow Army soldier, Yalena Lopez Lewis, and their two sons.
“This settlement will bring a measure of closure to Lewis’ widow, Yalena Lopez Lewis, but can never make up for this heartbreaking and life-altering loss for his family,” said Antonio M. Romanucci, Founding Partner of Romanucci & Blandin.
Belanger, 46, of Denver, Colorado, was the director of professional development at PCL Construction. He was also a founding member of an environmental non-profit group. At the time of the crash, he was flying to a United Nations Environmental Assembly where he was scheduled to speak. He left behind his wife, Amie, and his two parents.
“I’m happy for my client. She stood her ground. We are satisfied with the resolution, accountability, and closure,” said Lindquist, lead counsel on the Belanger case.
Robert Clifford said, “Although these settlements don’t bring back their loved ones, hopefully these settlements will begin to offer some closure to these families who have waited so long for justice. And, the fight against Boeing will continue for the remaining cases with the next trial beginning on July 14 and another trial for victims’ families currently scheduled for November 3.”
For further information, contact Clifford Law Offices Communications Partner Pamela Sakowicz Menaker at 847-721-0909 (cell) or Pammenaker@cliffordlaw.com or Romanucci & Blandin Chief Communications Officer Jennifer McGuffin at press@rblaw.net or 630-842-8143.
About Clifford Law Offices
Clifford Law Offices is a nationally recognized personal injury and medical malpractice firm based in Chicago. With over 40 years of experience, the firm has secured record-setting verdicts and settlements for clients in cases involving wrongful death, medical negligence, and catastrophic injuries. Known for their compassionate approach and commitment to excellence, the attorneys at Clifford Law Offices provide clients with the representation needed to hold negligent parties accountable. For more information or to schedule a consultation, visit our site or call (312) 899-9090
About Romanucci & Blandin
Romanucci & Blandin is a Chicago-based national trial practice committed to fighting for victims of negligence, abuse and wrongful death. For more than 25 years, we have secured more than $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for our clients – many for millions of dollars and others record-setting awards. Our experience ranges from mass shootings, civil rights and police misconduct to medical malpractice, sexual abuse, motor vehicle accidents or workplace injury cases involving individual or institutional negligence. Romanucci & Blandin is a valuable legal resource to individuals and groups of people who have been injured by others’ wrongdoing. Referring attorneys and clients say several factors differentiate our firm: Our record of success, depth of experience, talented and dedicated legal team, tireless preparation and strategic use of communications to fight for the rights of those whose lives have been changed forever. We are different from other personal injury firms in that our work does not stop when a verdict or settlement is secured. We are often inspired by our clients’ experiences and commit resources to create change in our communities. For more information about Romanucci & Blandin, please visit our site or call (312) 458-1000.
About Mark Lindquist Law
Mark Lindquist Law, an aviation and personal injury firm, is located in Tacoma, Washington. Lindquist, a former elected Prosecutor for Pierce County, represented dozens of victim families in the two crashes of the Boeing 737 Max 8 and currently represents 34 passengers in the recent door plug blowout on an Alaska Airlines Boeing Max 9. His firm also represents victims of government negligence, including officer-involved shootings. In 2024, the firm was voted “Best Personal Injury Law Firm” in Pierce County.
About BartlettChen LLC
Based in Chicago, BartlettChen LLC represents individuals in aviation, wrongful death, and immigration matters across the nation and internationally. Austin Bartlett of BartlettChen has practiced aviation law for more than two decades and brings the unique perspective of a former aviation defense attorney to help victims and their families secure full compensation for their losses.