BALTIMORE — The U.S. Justice Department on Wednesday sued the owner and manager of the cargo ship that caused the Baltimore bridge collapse, seeking to recover more than $100 million that the government spent to clear the underwater debris and reopen the city’s port.
The lawsuit filed in Maryland alleges that the electrical and mechanical systems on the ship, the Dali, were improperly maintained, causing it to lose power and veer off course before striking a support column on the Francis Scott Key Bridge in March.
“This tragedy was entirely avoidable,” according to the lawsuit.
The collapse snarled commercial shipping traffic through the Port of Baltimore for months before the channel was fully opened in June.
“With this civil claim, the Justice Department is working to ensure that the costs of clearing the channel and reopening the Port of Baltimore are borne by the companies that caused the crash, not by the American taxpayer,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in written statement.
The case was filed against Dali owner Grace Ocean Private Ltd. and manager Synergy Marine Group, both of Singapore. The companies filed a court petition days after the collapse seeking to limit their legal liability in what could become the most expensive marine casualty case in history.
The ship was leaving Baltimore bound for Sri Lanka when its steering failed because of the power loss. Six members of a road work crew on the bridge were killed in the collapse. The men were working an overnight shift filling potholes on the bridge deck when it suddenly crumbled beneath them, sending them tumbling into the water.
“This accident happened because of the careless and grossly negligent decisions made by Grace Ocean and Synergy, who recklessly chose to send an unseaworthy vessel to navigate a critical waterway and ignored the risks to American lives and the nation’s infrastructure,” said Chetan Patil, the acting deputy assistant attorney general.
On Tuesday, the victims’ families declared their intent to file a claim seeking to hold the ship’s owner and manager fully liable for the disaster. Several other interested parties, including city officials and local businesses, have filed opposing claims accusing the companies of negligence.
The families are also calling for more robust workplace protections, especially for immigrant workers. All the victims were Latino immigrants who came to the United States in search of better-paying jobs and opportunities.
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Richer reported from Washington.
The Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against the city of Baltimore for the cleanup costs of the recent bridge collapse that occurred in the city. The collapse, which happened last month, resulted in significant damage to the surrounding area and required extensive cleanup efforts to remove debris and ensure the safety of residents.
The lawsuit seeks to recover $100 million in cleanup costs that were incurred as a result of the bridge collapse. The Justice Department claims that the city was negligent in maintaining the bridge and failed to take necessary precautions to prevent such a disaster from occurring.
The collapse of the bridge not only caused damage to property but also put the lives of residents at risk. The cleanup efforts required the use of heavy machinery and specialized equipment to remove debris and ensure that the area was safe for residents to return to.
The city of Baltimore has yet to respond to the lawsuit, but it is likely that they will dispute the claims made by the Justice Department. However, it is clear that the cleanup costs were substantial and will have a significant impact on the city’s budget.
This lawsuit serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining infrastructure and taking necessary precautions to prevent disasters from occurring. It also highlights the potential financial consequences that can result from negligence in maintaining public infrastructure.
As the legal battle between the Justice Department and the city of Baltimore unfolds, it will be important to monitor the outcome and see how it may impact future infrastructure maintenance and safety measures in cities across the country.
