US Justice Department Files $100 Million Lawsuit Against Ship Owner That Rammed Baltimore's Bridge (Photo on X @CivilEngDis)
Demanding 100 million dollars in damages, the US Justice Department on September 18 filed a lawsuit against Singapore-based Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Private Limited, the owner and operator of the container ship Dali that rammed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge and destroyed the bridge on March 26 collision.
The money demanded seeks to recover the expenses incurred by the authorities for responding to the disaster and clearing debris to reopen the port. The US-led response removed approximately 50,000 tons of steel, concrete, and asphalt, said the Department of Justice. The lawsuit also claimed that the US cleared temporary channels to prevent troubles and reduce economic losses. The department also said that it spent over $100 million to respond to the disaster and reopen the Port of Baltimore.
Read Also: Imane Khelif: Cyberbullying Criminal Lawsuit Against JK Rowling, Elon Musk
U.S. Attorney Erek Barron for the District of Maryland alleged negligence that the collision was caused by a series of catastrophic failures on board the Dali.
The officials also said that the Singapore-based companies were aware of the structure’s collapse due to the massive striking of one of the bride’s columns.
Responding to the compensation claim, a spokesperson for the Singapore-based companies, Darrell Wilson, said that the Justice Department’s legal action was ‘anticipated’, adding 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,” Wilson said.
The lawsuit was filed in federal district court in Maryland when Grace Ocean Private Limited filed a motion to limit its legal liability for the tragedy. The families of those who died during the bridge collapse had declared that they would hold the Singapore-based company legally liable for the monetary compensation.
