A group of Baltimore longshoremen have filed a class action lawsuit against the owner and manager of the ship that caused the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. The lawsuit alleges that the companies should compensate them for wages lost while the port was closed in the aftermath of the deadly disaster. The collapse resulted in the deaths of six construction workers and halted most maritime traffic through Baltimore’s busy port for months. Many longshoremen found themselves out of work during the initial cleanup, impacting their livelihoods.
The port fully reopened in June after the main shipping channel was cleared, but shipping traffic did not immediately return to pre-disaster levels. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of roughly 2,200 members of the International Longshoremen’s Association union, aims to recover lost wages and seek punitive damages. The plaintiffs, represented by Baltimore attorney Billy Murphy, highlighted how the port closure affected their access to jobs and benefits based on seniority, emphasizing the financial impact of working fewer hours.
A recent suit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice provided detailed information on the series of failures on the Dali, the ship involved in the collapse. The complaint alleged that mechanical and electrical systems on the ship had been improperly maintained and jury-rigged, leading to a power outage as it approached the bridge. The crew’s efforts to restore power were hindered by various problems on the ship. The ship’s owner and manager have defended themselves, stating that they look forward to their day in court to set the record straight.
The Dali, which was leaving Baltimore for Sri Lanka when the collapse occurred, experienced a series of electrical issues before and after its departure. Recent court filings suggested that a loose electrical connection, damaged by vibrations on the ship, likely caused the blackout as it approached the bridge. Engineers manually restored power, but it shut off again due to a problem with the fuel pumps, allegedly reconfigured as a cost-cutting measure. Grace Ocean and Synergy have sought to limit their legal liability in what could be the most expensive marine casualty case in history.
FBI agents have been investigating the circumstances leading up to the collapse by boarding the Dali and another container ship managed by Synergy. Various entities, including Baltimore’s mayor, city council, families of the victims, local businesses, and insurance companies, have filed opposing claims in the liability case. These claims have been consolidated into one complex case, with the deadline for most claims being Tuesday. The legal battle surrounding the bridge collapse continues to unfold as those affected seek justice and compensation for the devastating impact of the disaster.
