Maryland: The families of six workers who tragically lost their lives in the March collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore have filed lawsuits against the owner and operator of the cargo ship involved in the incident. The lawsuits were submitted on Friday in Maryland federal court by the families of Carlos Daniel Hernandez Estrella, Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, Miguel Angel Luna, Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, Maynor Yasir Suazo Sandoval, and Jose Mynor Lopez. They seek unspecified damages from Grace Ocean Pte Ltd, the ship’s registered owner, and its manager, Synergy Marine Group, alleging negligence in allowing the ship to depart Baltimore despite known mechanical issues.
Julio Cervantes Suarez, a worker who survived the collapse, has also filed a separate lawsuit against the two companies, seeking damages for his injuries. According to his lawsuit, Cervantes was inside his truck when it plunged into the river from the bridge.
Darrell Wilson, a spokesperson for Grace Ocean and Synergy, acknowledged that the lawsuit was anticipated ahead of a September deadline but refrained from commenting on its specifics. “We do look forward to our day in court to set the record straight,” Wilson stated.
Craig Sico, an attorney representing the family of Maynor Yasir Suazo Sandoval, emphasized the coordinated effort among the victims’ families. “It’s our belief that the crew of the Dali could foresee this incident taking place,” Sico told Reuters.
In addition to the lawsuits from the families, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Grace Ocean and Synergy on Wednesday, accusing the companies of willfully ignoring and mishandling mechanical problems on the ship. The department seeks at least $100 million to cover government expenses incurred in responding to the disaster and clearing the wreckage of the Dali and bridge debris from the Port of Baltimore to facilitate its reopening in June.
On the morning of March 26, the container ship lost power and collided with a support pylon, resulting in the collapse of the bridge into the Patapsco River and the loss of six workers who were on the span at the time.
On April 1, Grace Ocean and Synergy filed a petition in Maryland federal court to limit their liability for the crash to the current value of the ship and its cargo, estimated at just over $43 million. Claimants have until September 24 to come forward.
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The company that employed the deceased workers, Brawner Builders, also filed a lawsuit against Grace Ocean and Synergy on Wednesday, seeking an unspecified amount in damages for the workers’ deaths and for the loss of construction vehicles and equipment on the bridge.
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Additionally, Ace American Insurance, now known as Chubb, has filed a lawsuit against Grace Ocean and Synergy, seeking to recover $350 million it paid to the Maryland Transportation Authority following the bridge’s collapse under a property insurance policy. Representatives for Chubb did not immediately respond to requests for comment, nor did those for Grace Ocean and Synergy regarding the Chubb lawsuit.
