Malloy News Brief: Key Bridge Litigation Update
On March 26, 2024, our region was rocked by the collapse of the Francis Scott Key bridge. Originally erected in 1977 to carry I-695 across the Patapsco River and outer Baltimore Harbor, the Key Bridge became a casualty of alleged malfeasance in international logistics and industry. After one of its support pillars was stuck by the Singaporean freighter Dali, the Key Bridge collapsed into the harbor, killing six members of a maintenance crew working on the bridge and blocking most commercial shipping in and out of the port of Baltimore for eleven weeks. While the cleanup took months, and the rebuilding of the bridge will take years, the ongoing litigation may take even longer. For today’s Malloy News Brief, we’d like to provide an update on the ongoing Key Bridge Litigation.
Key Bridge Litigation Update
It may surprise you to learn that, despite its vast scale and cavernous complexity, the ongoing civil litigation between the various relevant departments and agencies of the United States government and Grace Ocean Ltd. (owner and operator of the Dali) can be considered similar to the personal injury cases we here at Malloy Law handle every day. While the consequences are far further reaching and the damages are much higher, it is still a process of civil litigation intended to assess damages done by one party to another and award compensation commensurate with the damages done. The State of Maryland and the United States Federal government have suffered many millions of dollars in damages due to the alleged negligence of the crew of the Dali. The only question is how many millions exactly.
Grace Ocean have thus far, in their dealings with the US government, pursued a strategy of limiting damages to the value of the Dali and its cargo, assessed at approximately $43.7 million. However, this effort has been unsuccessful. The US Department of Justice announced a settlement of nearly $102 million has been reached and will be distributed to the relevant agencies involved in the cleanup effort. This prompt settlement not only ensures Maryland and other American taxpayers will not incur the costs for the Key Bridge disaster but also avoids the costs that would inevitably come from a years long legal battle.
Wrongful Death Litigation Ongoing
While private citizens may feel justice has been served in light of the DOJ settlement, this sum remains cold comfort for the friends and families of the six men who died in the vicinity of the Key Bridge that night. Settlement talks in these cases remain ongoing. Of particular interest is the case of Dorlian Castillo Cabrera, aged 26 at time of death. Behind-closed-doors negotiations to reach a settlement between lawyers representing Mr. Cabrera and Grace Ocean drew significant media attention at Baltimore’s Garmatz federal courthouse.
While this case is undeniably tragic, it may serve as a grim reminder to the public at large that no matter how wealthy or powerful an individual or corporate entity is, no one is above the law. We hope for solace and speedy justice for all those affected by the key bridge collapse.
How Malloy Law Can Help
The death of a loved one is an incredibly difficult time. When it is a wrongful death, it is even more difficult. Don’t face it alone. Our experienced attorneys and dedicated support staff will assess your case free of charge and plot a path to maximum compensation on your behalf. Contact Malloy Law Offices, LLC today and let’s win your case.