The U.S. Justice Department has reached a settlement of over $100 million with the companies that owned and operated the Dali vessel that struck and collapsed the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Maryland. The settlement of $101,980,000 will go to the U.S. Treasury and other federal agencies affected by the incident. The U.S. had filed a complaint for civil damages totaling $103,078,056 under various laws. The settlement does not include damages to rebuild the bridge, as Maryland owned and operated it. The prompt resolution of the matter avoids the cost of litigating a complex case for years.
The Dali vessel lost power multiple times before hitting the bridge, resulting in its collapse and the deaths of six bridge workers. The shipwreck obstructed the Fort McHenry Channel for months, halting shipping in and out of the Port of Baltimore. The U.S. led response efforts, removing debris and setting up temporary channels to alleviate the impact on the local transportation infrastructure and economy. The settlement compensates the U.S. for costs incurred in responding to the disaster and holds the owner and operator of the Dali accountable. Dozens of civil claims, including one from the state of Maryland, are still outstanding. The settlement marks a significant outcome in the aftermath of the bridge collapse.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com