Maryland AG files Key Bridge collapse claims
It will cost at least $1.7 billion to replace the Key Bridge by 2028, according to Maryland’s claim,
The Maryland Attorney General’s Office has filed claims in the deadly March 26 bridge collapse that killed six highway maintenance workers and disrupted Baltimore’s regional economy.
In addition to killing six men and injuring two, the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge “caused the discharge of numerous pollutants and wastes into the Patapsco River,” Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown alleged in the claim.
A “patently unseaworthy” cargo ship owned by Grace Ocean Private Ltd. and managed by Synergy Marine Group struck and destroyed the Key Bridge, causing Maryland to suffer “tremendous costs and damages,” Brown added. “This disaster was entirely preventable had the Dali’s owners and operators exercised proper care and diligence.”
The Dali lost electrical power about 10 hours before leaving Baltimore Harbor and then experienced two electrical blackouts before crashing into a Key Bridge pier, according to a preliminary National Transportation Safety Board report dated May 14.
Six days after the bridge collapsed into the Patapsco River, Duane Morris and Blank Rome—on behalf of Grace Ocean and Synergy—filed a petition in Maryland federal court seeking exoneration or limited liability for any losses or damage caused by the deadly incident.
It will cost at least $1.7 billion to replace the Key Bridge by 2028, according to Maryland’s claim, which seeks damages and statutory penalties for alleged environmental violations. The estimated rebuilding costs are far greater than the $350 million Maryland received in compensation from its bridge insurance policy.
Maryland filed claims for alleged negligence under general maritime law and environmental claims under state and federal law, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, also known as CERCLA.
Outside counsel is assisting Maryland’s attorney general in the bridge litigation, including Downs Ward Bender Herzog & Kintigh, Liskow & Lewis, Kelley Drye & Warren, the Lanier Law Firm and attorney Scott S. Partridge.
Before the Dali struck and destroyed the Key Bridge, the Port of Baltimore generated more than 27,000 jobs in the region and “paid over $280 million in taxes to county and local governments in Maryland,” according to a claim filed Tuesday by Baltimore County.
As a result of the fatal and destructive incident, the county “has suffered, and will continue to suffer, significant damages,” the county alleges.
Outside counsel is assisting Baltimore County’s legal department in this matter, including Bekman, Marder, Hopper, Malarkey & Perlin and Grant & Eisenhofer.
Numerous parties have filed claims against Grace Ocean and Synergy, including the U.S. Department of Justice, Baltimore and grieving families impacted by the deadly bridge collapse.
The U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland will decide whether to grant or deny a petition for exoneration from liability or limited liability sought by the Singapore-based companies.
The petition filed by Duane Morris and Blank Rome seeks to limit liability to about $44 million.
Dorlian Cabrera, Carlos Estrella, Alejandro Fuentes, Jose Lopez, Miguel Luna Sr. and Maynor Sandoval were killed in the bridge collapse, while Julio Cervantes Suarez and Damon Davis survived, according to claims filed against the shipping conglomerates.