Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse: DOJ Sues Ship Owners for $100 Million

The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore was struck by a 948-foot cargo ship last March, resulting in the collapse of the bridge and several vehicles plummeting into the Patapsco River. The 47-year-old bridge had carried over 12.4 million commercial and passenger vehicles in 2023, and is one of three routes for crossing the harbor into Baltimore.

The U.S. Department of Justice has initiated a $100 million lawsuit against Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Private Limited, the owners and operators of the cargo ship Dali, which was responsible for the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore last March. This legal action highlights allegations of negligence and cost-cutting practices that contributed to the catastrophic incident, resulting in the loss of six lives and significant disruptions to operations at the Port of Baltimore.

According to the lawsuit, the crew of the Dali was inadequately prepared, and the vessel itself was in poor condition. A series of mechanical failures, including issues with the rudder, propeller, anchor, and bow thruster, led to the ship losing power on two occasions before crashing into a critical support column of the bridge. Prosecutors assert that this loss of power was due to the improper maintenance of electrical transformers, ultimately causing the bridge to collapse and tragically killing six workers who were repairing potholes at the time.

The federal government’s lawsuit aims to recover the substantial costs associated with clearing the debris from the collapse, which amounted to over 50,000 tons. The Justice Department is also pursuing punitive damages to hold the responsible companies accountable and deter future incidents. “This tragedy was entirely avoidable,” the lawsuit contends, pointing to the companies’ decision to continue operating the vessel despite known risks. Attorney General Merrick Garland stressed the government’s commitment to ensuring that the financial repercussions of this disaster do not burden American taxpayers. “The companies responsible for this avoidable catastrophe must pay for the cleanup and recovery efforts,” Garland stated.

The collapse of the nearly 1,000-foot-long bridge significantly impacted access to the Port of Baltimore for months, disrupting a critical supply chain route. The Fort McHenry Federal Channel, which connects the port to the larger shipping network, was only reopened in June after extensive cleanup efforts undertaken by federal and state agencies.

In addition to the federal lawsuit, the city of Baltimore and the families of the six victims have filed their own legal claims against the companies. The families are also advocating for stronger protections for immigrant workers, all of whom were Latino immigrants working on the bridge at the time of the collapse.

This tragic event has raised serious questions about safety protocols and the responsibilities of companies in ensuring the well-being of their workers and the communities they impact. As this case unfolds, the hope is that accountability will be served, preventing future tragedies from occurring.