On the night Stephanie Cosme died, her family was left with unanswered questions. A U.S. Air Force official informed them that the civilian contractor had been hit by an aircraft’s rotating propeller due to a failure to follow protocol. However, what followed was a harrowing eight-month wait for the truth behind the accident that claimed the life of the 32-year-old testing engineer.
The Unveiling of the Truth
Eventually, a report from the U.S. Air Force Aircraft Accident Investigation Board shed light on the incident. It revealed that Cosme's trainer had rushed the job and provided improper instructions, leading to her tragic demise. However, her family believes there is a more sinister explanation behind the fatal accident.
Allegations of Discrimination
In a lawsuit filed against Sumaria, Cosme's family alleges that her death was a result of gender and racial discrimination orchestrated by the testing director, Derek Kirkendall. They claim that Kirkendall had a history of hostility towards Hispanic employees, including Cosme.
The lawsuit, refuted by Saul Ewing, representing Sumaria and Kirkendall, asserts that Cosme was deliberately isolated and subjected to dangerous tasks, ultimately leading to the fatal accident. Witness testimonies from the Air Force investigation support these claims, highlighting a toxic work environment created by Kirkendall.
Legal Battle for Justice
While the Air Force report did not cite discrimination as a contributing factor, Cosme's lawyers, Justin Green and Debra Katz, are determined to hold Kirkendall and Sumaria accountable for their alleged actions. They argue that the workplace harassment and discrimination ultimately led to Cosme's tragic death.
The family's pursuit of justice through the lawsuit aims to bring to light the gender harassment prevalent in male-dominated fields and seek accountability for the failings that resulted in Cosme's untimely death.
Gender Discrimination, Workplace Harassment, Air Force Investigation, Lawsuit, Tragic Accident
