Maryland sues owner, manager of ship that rammed Key Bridge collapse
Maryland on Tuesday announced a lawsuit against the owners and managers of the Dali, the ship that crashed into Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge earlier this year, killing six workers and temporarily shutting down one of the busiest ports in the country.
According to a press release from Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) and Attorney General Anthony G. Brown, the state is suing the Dali owner, Grace Ocean, and manager, Synergy Marine. Maryland is asking the court to award damages for several costs, including replacing the bridge, environmental contamination, emergency response and benefits for affected workers.
“For the past six months, and into the foreseeable future, Marylanders have had and will continue to shoulder the costs and burden caused by the misconduct of Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Pte Ltd," Brown said in a statement.
"We have grieved the loss of six lives and mourned alongside their families. We have endured increased traffic and altered work commutes, degrading even the quality of the air we breathe. Our state has lost valuable tax and toll revenues, and Maryland's economy has been disrupted," he added.
“Maryland will rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge, but Marylanders should not have to pay for the DALI owner's and manager's negligence and incompetence," he added.
Darrell Wilson, a spokesperson for Synergy and Grace Ocean, told The Hill in a statement that the lawsuit was "anticipated" given today's deadline for claims against the Dali.
He added that the "owner and manager will have no further comment on the merits of any claim at this time, but we do look forward to our day in court to set the record straight."
The press release noted that Maryland's investigation found that the crash was "entirely preventable," adding that the Dali had two power failures the day before. The release said that the ship's owner and operator had "failed to diagnose or correct these failures prior to leaving its berth and neglected to report them to the two pilots who boarded the ship to guide its departure from the port."
"This catastrophe has caused wide-ranging, multifaceted, and significant harms to the State and its residents," the press release said.
“Marylanders rallied and moved in partnership to take bold action following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. But the presence of action doesn't mean the absence of accountability. We can — and we will — pursue both at the same time," Moore said in the press release.
The lawsuit comes after an announcement from the Department of Justice (DOJ) that it would be pursuing its own civil negligence case against the owner and operator of the Dali, arguing that the crash was "unavoidable" and caused by improper maintenance and violations of safety regulations.
It also said should the owner and manager should cover $100 million in cleanup costs and additional penalties.
After the collapse, the companies filed a request for limited liability, which would reduce their financial obligations.
Date: |
Topics
-
ABC News - Top stories
Maryland sues the owner and manager of the ship that caused the Key Bridge collapse
The state of Maryland has added to the legal troubles facing the owner and operator of the container ship Dali, which caused the deadly collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after the massive ...4 hours ago -
NBC News - Top stories
Families of workers killed and injured in Maryland bridge collapse sue owner and operator of cargo ship
Victims' families and a survivor of a Maryland bridge collapse that killed six people filed claims Friday for wrongful death and punitive damages against the owner and the operator of the massive ...4 days ago -
The New York Times - Top stories
Maryland Sues Shipping Companies to Cover Costs of Bridge Collapse
The lawsuit is the latest legal fallout from the disaster in March, which killed six people and halted operations at the Port of Baltimore.5 hours ago -
Inc. - Business
Families of Workers Killed in Baltimore Bridge Collapse Sue Cargo Ship Owner, Operator
The suits accuse the owner and operator of negligence regarding the ship's mechanical issues.4 days ago -
CBS News - Top stories
FBI agents board vessel managed by company whose ship collapsed Key Bridge
The FBI has confirmed that federal agents have boarded a vessel managed by the same company as a cargo ship that caused the deadly Baltimore bridge collapse.3 days ago -
The New York Times - Top stories
F.B.I. Agents Board Ship Managed by Company of Vessel in Baltimore Bridge Collapse
The move comes three days after the Justice Department’s civil lawsuit against the owner and operator of the Dali, which struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in March.3 days ago -
NBC News - Top stories
FBI boards vessel managed by company whose ship caused Baltimore bridge collapse
The FBI boarded a vessel managed by the same company whose cargo ship caused the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, according to a statement published Saturday.3 days ago -
BBC News - Top stories
Watch: Burning Canadian bridge collapses into river
Footage shows the 88-year-old Red Bridge in Kamloops, British Columbia, engulfed in flames.4 days ago
More from The Hill
-
The Hill - Politics
In bipartisan vote, House approves forestry bill opposed by Biden
In a bipartisan vote, the House approved a forestry bill opposed by the Biden administration. The vote was 268-151. Fifty-five Democrats voted with Republicans in favor of the bill. The ...12 minutes ago - Joe Biden -
The Hill - Politics
CrowdStrike exec in the hot seat
Welcome to The Hill's Technology newsletter {beacon} Technology Technology The Big Story CrowdStrike exec in hot seat Lawmakers grilled an executive from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, who said ...14 minutes ago -
The Hill - Politics
Senate GOP wants no part of spending showdown in election year
Senate Republicans say they will allow a short-term government funding bill to pass in the next few days, instead of using it as a bargaining chip to force vulnerable Democrats to vote on a ...23 minutes ago -
The Hill - Politics
Biden touts economic impact of green policies in New York
President Biden touted his administration’s record on climate and renewable energy in remarks Tuesday evening at Climate Week in New York. In his remarks, Biden did not name former President Trump ...34 minutes ago - Joe Biden -
The Hill - Politics
Biden delivers final UN speech
Welcome to The Hill's Defense & NatSec newsletter {beacon} Defense &National Security Defense &National Security The Big Story Biden calls for end to Gaza war in United Nations speech President ...35 minutes ago - Joe Biden