US Sues Dali Ship Owner and Operator for $100 Million Over Baltimore Bridge Collapse

Overview

The United States government has filed a lawsuit against the owner and operator of the Dali ship for $100 million in damages related to the collapse of the I-895 bridge in Baltimore, Maryland. The lawsuit alleges that the Dali was responsible for the collapse because it struck the bridge while it was being towed, causing it to collapse and killing four people.

Background

On June 18, 2021, the Dali, a 4,500-ton cargo ship, was being towed by the tugboat American Responder when it struck the I-895 bridge in Baltimore, Maryland. The impact caused the bridge to collapse, killing four people and injuring several others. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is still investigating the cause of the collapse, but the NTSB's preliminary report found that the Dali was traveling too fast and was not properly secured to the tugboat.

The Lawsuit

The lawsuit, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, alleges that the Dali's owner and operator were negligent in their operation of the ship and that their negligence caused the collapse of the bridge. The lawsuit seeks $100 million in damages, which includes compensation for the loss of life, property damage, and economic losses.

The Defendants

The defendants in the lawsuit are the Dali's owner, Tidewater Inc., and the ship's operator, Donjon Marine Co. Inc. Tidewater is a shipping company based in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Donjon Marine is a marine transportation company based in Hillside, New Jersey.

The Legal Process

The lawsuit is still in its early stages, and it is not yet clear how long it will take to resolve. The parties are currently engaged in discovery, which is the process of exchanging information and documents. Once discovery is complete, the parties will likely file motions for summary judgment, which are requests for the court to rule in their favor without a trial. If the court denies the motions for summary judgment, the case will go to trial.

The Impact of the Lawsuit

The lawsuit is likely to have a significant impact on the shipping industry. If the government is successful in its lawsuit, it could set a precedent for holding shipping companies liable for damages caused by their negligence. The lawsuit could also lead to increased regulation of the shipping industry.