Baltimore Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse Mass Tort Litigation
Case Overview
On March 26, 2024, the MV Dali — a 948-foot Singapore-flagged container ship operated by Grace Ocean Private Ltd. and Synergy Marine Pte. Ltd. — suffered a sudden loss of propulsion and electrical power shortly after departing the Port of Baltimore. Despite a Mayday call that allowed some bridge traffic to be halted, the vessel struck a support column of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing the entire span to collapse in seconds. Six construction workers who were filling potholes on the bridge were killed; two others were injured or rescued. The collapse severed a critical artery for Baltimore's port — one of the busiest in the U.S. for automobile imports and exports — causing an estimated $1.7 billion in economic disruption to the regional economy.
The ship's owners immediately filed a petition in federal court seeking to limit their liability under a 19th-century maritime law, the Limitation of Liability Act, to approximately $43.7 million — a figure dwarfed by the scale of the disaster. Families of the six victims, as well as businesses, port workers, truckers, and others economically harmed by the months-long channel closure, have filed or intervened in the litigation opposing the liability cap. The Maryland Attorney General also filed suit. The U.S. government separately sued Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine for the cost of the emergency federal response and bridge removal operations, estimated at over $100 million. The litigation raises pivotal questions about maritime liability caps, corporate responsibility for aging vessel maintenance, and the adequacy of pre-departure safety checks.
Who May Qualify
Eligible claimants include: (1) families of the six construction workers killed in the collapse; (2) individuals physically injured in the incident; (3) businesses and workers who suffered documented economic losses due to the closure of the Port of Baltimore and the Francis Scott Key Bridge; and (4) government entities incurring costs from the disaster response and cleanup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the families of the Key Bridge collapse victims sue the ship's owners?
Yes. Families of the six workers killed have filed wrongful death claims against Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine. However, the ship's owners have invoked a 19th-century maritime law to attempt to cap their total liability at roughly $43.7 million, which victims and their families are actively challenging in federal court.
What is the Limitation of Liability Act and how does it affect the Key Bridge lawsuit?
The Limitation of Liability Act of 1851 allows ship owners to limit their liability for maritime disasters to the post-accident value of the vessel and its cargo. In the Key Bridge case, the owners filed to cap damages at ~$43.7 million despite billions in total losses. Courts can reject this cap if claimants prove the owners had prior knowledge of the vessel's unseaworthiness.
Who is responsible for the Key Bridge collapse?
Plaintiffs allege that Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine were negligent in failing to properly maintain the MV Dali's power systems, failing to address known electrical problems before departure, and failing to take adequate precautions. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is conducting an ongoing investigation into the root causes of the power failure.