Victims' Families Reach Settlement Before Dali Civil Trial Over Bridge Collapse
On the eve of a significant civil trial, settlements have been reached with the families of victims killed when the containership Dali collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, causing its collapse. The incident, which occurred in March 2024, resulted in the deaths of six roadworkers and injuries to others. The ship's owners, Grace Ocean, and operators, Synergy Marine, have invoked an 1850s law to limit their liability to the value of the ship and its cargo, a legal strategy previously used in cases like the Titanic and Deepwater Horizon disasters. The trial, set to begin on June 1, will first address the limitation of liability before moving to individual claims. Settlements have also been reached with the road crew's employer, Brawner Builders, and Baltimore Gas and Electric, while the State of Maryland settled for $2.25 billion. However, claims from the City of Baltimore, the County, and local businesses remain unresolved. 
