LOUISVILLE, Ky. (LEX 18) — Fifteen lawsuits have been filed in Jefferson Circuit Court on behalf of over 100 victims of the November 4, 2025, UPS Flight 2976 crash.
According to a press release from Kentucky law firms Whiteford Law and Peterson Law, the suits follow emotional interviews with crash victims aired on national television. Named defendants include United Parcel Service Co. (Air), UPS Inc., Boeing Company, General Electric Company, VT San Antonio Aerospace Inc., the estate of pilot Richard R. Wartenberg, and multiple Allianz insurance companies.
“Our clients showed tremendous courage sharing their stories,” said Masten Childers III, Managing Partner at Whiteford Law. “These lawsuits represent months of investigation into corporate negligence.”
The lawsuits were filed after settlement discussions with defendants were unsuccessful. The suits represent families of those killed, as well as workers and local businesses, including Grade A Autoparts, that suffered losses due to the explosion and fire.
Court filings allege that the MD-11 aircraft experienced catastrophic failure of its left engine pylon assembly during takeoff, similar to failures associated with the 1979 American Airlines Flight 191 crash. The filings indicate that Boeing issued service bulletins regarding known risks in 2011, which the defendants ignored.
UPS CEO Carol Tomé described the incident as a “tragic accident,” asserting the company's commitment to community support. However, court documents suggest that defendants declined settlement negotiations despite UPS's public statements.
“The evidence will speak for itself in court,” Childers stated, emphasizing the need for accountability and fair compensation for victims.