Daniel Levin Speaks with Law360 on the Cost Claims Surrounding Baltimore’s Bridge Collapse as the Legal Battle Continues
Munger, Tolles & Olson partner Daniel Levin spoke with Law360 about the increase in cost claims in the case regarding the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge in an article titled, “Baltimore Bridge Wreck: 6 Months Later, Claims Mount.”
The legal battle is intensifying as various parties, including the U.S. government, Maryland and private plaintiffs, seek damages from the owner and manager of the cargo ship that caused the disaster. The Singapore-flagged container ship Dali collided with one of the bridge’s support columns, leading to the collapse that killed six construction workers and disrupted access to the Port of Baltimore. The ship’s owner and manager, Grace Ocean Pte. Ltd. and Synergy Marine Pte. Ltd., have petitioned a Maryland federal court to limit their liability to $43.7 million, the value of the vessel at the end of the voyage plus pending freight.
The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a $100 million claim for response, cleanup and recovery efforts, alleging that Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine knew about the Dali’s excessive vibration problems but failed to address them properly. Maryland is seeking $1.7 billion for the cost of rebuilding the bridge, while the city of Baltimore and other plaintiffs are also pursuing claims for lost revenue and other damages. The court faces the challenge of determining how to allocate the limited funds available to cover the extensive claims.
In speaking with Law360, Mr. Levin noted that “the DOJ has put together a pretty powerful negligence argument, or allegations at least, and they’re going to have very hard-cost claims — these are costs presumably spent in the recovery efforts in the immediate aftermath of the accident.”
The Limitation of Liability Act of 1851 is being invoked by the ship’s owner and manager to limit their liability, but this law does not apply to some of the claims asserted by the U.S. government. The court’s decision on whether to uphold the liability limits will have significant implications for the various parties involved and the overall financial impact of the disaster.