Maryland Files Lawsuit Over Devastating Bridge Collapse Involving Cargo Ship M/V DALI

The state of Maryland announced this past Tuesday that it is taking legal action against the owners and operators of the cargo ship M/V DALI following the catastrophic collision with and collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, 2024. The tragic incident claimed the lives of six construction workers and a key transportation route in ruins, causing months of disruption at one of the nation’s busiest ports, and kept the ship in port for months.

At a news conference, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown and Governor Wes Moore, alongside other state officials, explained the legal battle ahead. The lawsuit, aimed at two Singaporean companies—Grace Ocean Private Limited, the ship’s owner, and Synergy Marine Pte. Ltd., its operator—alleges that their careless negligence led directly to the collapse.

Governor Moore expressed the collective grief and anger of Marylanders during his remarks, emphasizing the need for accountability. “What happened in the early morning of March 26 should never have happened,” Moore said.

“While we commend the swift actions of first responders, accountability must follow.”

The Lawsuit: Seeking Accountability

The 56-page lawsuit, filed in federal court, seeks to hold the companies responsible for what state leaders describe as an entirely preventable tragedy. The suit goes beyond compensation for the structural damage, with Maryland also demanding punitive damages to cover a broad range of losses, including:

• The full cost of replacing the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
• Lost revenues from tolls, fees, and taxes.
• Costs tied to emergency responses, salvage operations, and environmental cleanup.
• Damage to the state’s natural resources and increased wear on infrastructure.
• Compensation for workers and businesses affected by the disaster.

Attorney General Brown agreed with these sentiments, stating that the people of Maryland should not be burdened with the costs caused by “negligence and incompetence.”

“This tragedy has not only disrupted lives but also strained the state’s economy,” Brown added.

Maryland’s lawsuit follows a similar legal claim filed by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) only a week earlier. The DOJ’s lawsuit targets the same Singaporean companies, seeking over $100 million to cover federal response costs, including clearing the 50,000 tons of wreckage and ensuring maritime traffic could continue at the Port of Baltimore. U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland emphasized that the companies responsible for the disaster should bear the costs, not American taxpayers.

Both lawsuits allege Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine operated an ill-equipped and poorly-maintained ship, with a careless and unvigilant crew, into U.S. waters—a decision that, according to the Justice Department, directly led to the collapse of the Baltimore bridge.

The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge has left a lasting mark on Baltimore. Beyond the tragic loss of life, the damage has caused months of logistical nightmares for the busy port and affected businesses across the region. Salvage crews have worked tirelessly to clear the wreckage from the Patapsco River, and a temporary channel has since been opened to restore limited port operations.

The emotional toll has been profound as well. Families of the six workers who died in the collapse have not only had to cope with their personal grief, but have also watched their tragedy become the focal point of a complex legal battle. For these families, as well as the broader Maryland community, this lawsuit represents a vital chance for justice and accountability.

While the investigations continue, led by both the FBI and the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board), state and federal leaders are making it clear that the companies involved must take responsibility for the consequences of their actions.

The path to recovery may be long and difficult, both economically, legally, and emotionally. However, this legal battle represents the first step in the rebuilding of not just a bridge, but trust that public safety will not be taken for granted.

As Governor Moore of Maryland said, “The presence of action doesn’t mean the absence of accountability. We can—and we will—pursue both at the same time.”

The outcome of this lawsuit will likely resonate far beyond Maryland, sending a strong message that companies operating in U.S. waters are responsible for ensuring the safety of both their crew and the public infrastructure they rely on.

We at the Herd Law Firm are proud to fight for seamen, maritime workers and passengers in all types of personal injury and death claims, and we are accepting claims for economic damages and cargo damages arising from this tragedy. As maritime personal injury attorneys (and sailors ourselves!) located in northwest Houston, we never waver in our commitment to help those harmed by mistreatment in such activities.

10/11/2024

Image source: Maryland National Guard, National Transportation Board