Maryland lawsuit over Key Bridge collapse advances toward Phase One trial

Brian Carlton and Natalie Jones, Baltimore Sun on Mar 26, 2026

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BALTIMORE — Maryland’s effort to recover economic damages tied to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and closure of the Port of Baltimore is moving toward a federal trial, with proceedings focused first on whether the shipowner and manager can limit their financial liability under a centuries-old maritime law.

The state is pursuing litigation against Grace Ocean Private Limited, the owner of the M/V Dali, and Synergy Marine PTE Ltd., the vessel’s manager, over the March 2024 collision that led to the bridge’s collapse.

Scheduled to begin June 1, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, the first phase of the civil litigation won’t immediately determine damages but will address a pivotal legal question: Can the ship’s owner and manager cap their liability at roughly $44 million under a 19th‑century maritime law?

Grace Ocean and Synergy have invoked the Limitation of Liability Act of 1851, arguing that their financial exposure should be tied to the value of the M/V Dali — the container ship that lost propulsion before smashing into the bridge — and its remaining value after the disaster.

For plaintiffs that include the state of Maryland, Baltimore city, local businesses and insurers, rejecting that limitation is the gateway to seeking billions of dollars in compensation for wrongful deaths, economic losses and the staggering costs of recovery, cleanup, and the ongoing reconstruction of the bridge.

What’s at stake with the liability cap?

In previous interviews with The Baltimore Sun, multiple law professors noted that if the court rejects the liability cap, the case will shift into broader discovery and potentially into full damage trials or settlement negotiations — with exposure far beyond what the shipowners have proposed.

If the court rejects Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine’s bid to limit liability to roughly $44 million, plaintiffs — including families of the six workers killed, the state of Maryland, Baltimore city, insurers, and local businesses — could pursue billions in total claims.

Previous estimates by legal analysts suggest that wrongful death claims alone could reach tens of millions per family, while economic and infrastructure losses — including the ongoing bridge reconstruction — could push total damages into the high hundreds of millions.

Where does it currently stand?

Attorneys are preparing a draft pretrial order outlining witness lists, exhibits and legal theories. That filing deadline was recently extended by two weeks to April 27 after both sides agreed to the delay.

In filings dated this week, the defendants raised the possibility of a settlement, though no terms were disclosed publicly.

The Sun reached out to each of the law firms involved in the case, but only heard back from one. David Reisman, the lead attorney representing Maryland in the case, said he couldn’t comment on the case when reached Thursday.

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