Kreindler Representing Family in Lawsuit Against Air Force Contractor Following Fatal Workplace Drone Accident
January 9, 2025
Attorneys
What Happened
On September 7, 2023, Stephanie Cosme, U.S. Air Force civilian contractor working for Sumaria Systems, LLC, was killed while performing low-risk ground testing on a U.S. Air Force MQ-9A Reaper drone at Gray Butte Field Airport in Palmdale, California.
Alleged Gender and Racial Discrimination Contributing to Fatal Workplace Accident Involving MQ-9A Reaper Drone
Kreindler partners Justin Green and Megan Benett, along with Debra Katz of Katz Banks Kumin represent Ms. Cosme’s family in a recently filed lawsuit against Cosme’s employer, Sumaria Systems, LLC and her work supervisor.
An Associated Press article detailed the allegations in the lawsuit, including the allegation that Stephanie’s death was the result of gender and racial discrimination.
Following her sudden death, the family initially received little information regarding the incident. Later, an Air Force Aircraft Accident Investigation Board report revealed that the accident was caused by several procedural failures, including rushed training and improper instruction, placing Stephanie in a dangerous – and ultimately deadly – scenario.
The family claims Stephanie, who was of Mexican and Puerto Rican descent, was subject to race-based degradation by her supervisor. It is also reported that the supervisor is alleged to have a history of mistreating Hispanic employees.
The attorneys contend that a jury trial will reveal that Cosme’s death was not a tragic accident, but rather the culmination of years of workplace hostility.