Following the tragic collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge in March, a complex liability case is unfolding as the owner and manager of the container ship Dali attempt to shift blame. Attorneys for Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Group argued in court that Maryland state officials should have safeguarded the bridge against ship strikes and questioned the shipbuilder's installation of faulty electrical equipment on the Dali.
Claimants, including families of the six construction workers killed in the collapse, state and local governments, businesses, and longshoremen, have accused the companies of negligence in maintaining the Dali and sending an unseaworthy vessel into Maryland waters.
Since the collapse, a federal court in Baltimore has seen a flurry of legal actions, with nearly 50 entities filing claims in the case. Judge James Bredar aims to streamline the proceedings to facilitate a potential settlement, though the process could span years.
Attorneys on both sides faced scrutiny during a recent scheduling conference, with discussions centering on assigning liability and fault. The courtroom was packed with legal representatives, signaling the gravity of the case.
Grace Ocean and Synergy recently agreed to pay over $102 million in cleanup costs to settle a claim by the U.S. Department of Justice, though they denied any wrongdoing. The Justice Department's complaint shed light on the series of failures that led to the collapse, citing vibrations on the ship as a known cause of electrical issues.
The collapse of the bridge had far-reaching consequences, disrupting shipping traffic, increasing commute times, and impacting local businesses. The federal case is expected to be followed by additional lawsuits in Maryland state courts as the legal battle unfolds.
