The US government has filed a $100 million lawsuit against the owner and operator of a cargo ship responsible for a deadly crash that destroyed Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge. The incident on March 26 incident, which involved the ship Dali, not only caused significant structural damage but also resulted in the tragic deaths of six workers.
Legal Action Against Ship Owners
The companies Synergy and Grace Ocean, who own and operate the Dali, face accusations of negligence.
According to the Justice Department, the companies were “well aware” of the ship’s ongoing electrical and mechanical problems before the accident occurred.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, said:
“The Justice Department is committed to ensuring accountability for those responsible for the destruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which resulted in the tragic deaths of six people and disrupted our country’s transportation and defense infrastructure.
“With this civil claim, the Justice Department is working to ensure that the costs of clearing the channel and reopening the Port of Baltimore are borne by the companies that caused the crash, not by the American taxpayer.”
Key Allegations:
- The Dali lost power and crashed into the bridge.
- The crash caused over $100 million in damages, which included clearing 3,000-4,000 tonnes of debris.
- The Justice Department is seeking to ensure that the financial burden falls on the responsible parties and not U.S. taxpayers.
The Human Toll
The six workers who lost their lives were conducting overnight pothole repairs when the ship struck the bridge.
Their bodies were later recovered from the Patapsco River, where the crash occurred.
On top of the federal lawsuit, three families of the deceased workers have also filed lawsuits against Grace Ocean, seeking damages for their losses.
Maintenance Failures and Crash Details
An investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed that the Dali experienced power loss four times within 12 hours leading up to the crash. The ship’s systems were improperly maintained, making the crash “entirely avoidable,” according to the lawsuit.
Need Career Advice? Get employment skills advice at all levels of your career
The Impact of the Crash:
- Significant structural damage took months to repair.
- Commercial shipping to the Port of Baltimore, one of the busiest in the U.S., was severely impacted.
- The Dali’s 20 crew members were stranded aboard for weeks while the ship remained entangled in the wreckage.
Financial and Legal Ramifications
The crash is now considered the most expensive marine casualty case in US history. In response to the incident, Grace Ocean filed a motion in federal court to limit its liability in the case. However, the government is seeking to ensure that the companies fully cover the extensive costs incurred due to their negligence.
A Path Forward
The legal battle surrounding the Dali crash will likely have lasting consequences on maritime safety regulations and corporate accountability. The U.S. government’s actions set a precedent for holding negligent companies responsible for both human losses and extensive infrastructure damage.
With the lawsuit still ongoing, the families of the victims and the Port of Baltimore await justice as repairs and recovery efforts continue.
