The lawsuit targets Synergy and Grace Ocean, the companies responsible for the Dali, which reportedly experienced mechanical and electrical issues before the incident. The Justice Department claims these issues were known prior to the crash.
The accident caused between 3,000 and 4,000 tonnes of debris, leading to an extended closure of the Port of Baltimore and more than $100 million in cleanup and reconstruction costs.
Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized that the companies responsible for the accident, not taxpayers, should cover these costs. Any funds recovered from the lawsuit will be used for the bridge’s reconstruction.
A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board found that the Dali had lost electrical power four times within 12 hours before striking the bridge.
The incident is being described as the most costly marine casualty in U.S. history, with the ship’s crew remaining onboard for weeks following the crash.
In a separate legal move, Grace Ocean has filed a motion to limit its liability in the case. Families of three of the six victims, who were repairing road damage at the time of the collision, have also filed lawsuits against the company.
