Families of workers killed in Baltimore bridge collapse file lawsuit against cargo ship owner and operator
The families of the six workers who tragically lost their lives in the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore in March have taken legal action. They have filed lawsuits against the owner and operator of the cargo ship that collided with the bridge.
The lawsuits, filed in Maryland federal court, seek damages from Grace Ocean Pte Ltd and Synergy Marine Group on behalf of the families of Carlos Daniel Hernandez Estrella, Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, Miguel Angel Luna, Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, Maynor Yasir Suazo Sandoval, and Jose Mynor Lopez. It is claimed that the companies negligently allowed the ship to depart Baltimore despite knowing it had mechanical issues.
Another worker, Julio Cervantes Suarez, who survived the bridge collapse, has also filed a lawsuit seeking damages for his injuries sustained during the incident. The companies have not made any official statements regarding the lawsuits.
The lawsuits were filed as part of a coordinated effort between the victims’ families, with attorneys representing Maynor Yasir Suazo Sandoval’s family expressing their belief that the incident could have been foreseen.
The U.S. Department of Justice filed a separate lawsuit against the companies, accusing them of negligence in handling mechanical problems on the ship. The department is seeking at least $100 million in damages for the government’s response to the disaster.
The collision occurred on March 26, resulting in the death of six workers on the bridge. The companies have filed a petition to limit their liability in the crash to the value of the ship and its cargo.
Additionally, Brawner Builders, the company that employed the workers who perished in the collapse, has also sued Grace Ocean and Synergy, seeking damages for the loss of lives and equipment.
Ace American Insurance has filed a lawsuit seeking to recover $350 million it paid to the Maryland Transportation Authority following the bridge collapse. Representatives for the insurance company did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Neither Grace Ocean and Synergy nor their representatives have commented on the lawsuits filed against them.
SOURCE
Emma Collins, graduated in Financial Economics from the University of Chicago in the USA in 2016. She has since worked at an asset management firm in New York, where she specializes in investment strategies and portfolio management. Emma has a keen interest in financial analysis and has published several articles in renowned financial journals. Her work focuses on providing actionable insights to investors, and she is known for her forward-thinking approach to managing financial portfolios.