Families of 5 Key Bridge Victims Settle With Dali Firms as Liability Trial Nears

11 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 29

Five families of workers killed in Baltimore’s 2024 Key Bridge collapse, plus a survivor, reached undisclosed settlements with ship owner Grace Ocean and operator Synergy Marine days before a federal civil trial.
Monday’s trial will still proceed because Baltimore, cargo owners and other plaintiffs maintain claims, and the judge must decide whether the companies can limit damages under an 1851 maritime law.
The Dali lost power repeatedly before striking the bridge around 1:30 a.m. on March 26, 2024, sending road workers into the Patapsco River; six men died and one was rescued.
The settlements follow Maryland’s $2.25 billion deal announced earlier this month and a $102 million Justice Department settlement in October 2024.
On May 12, federal prosecutors also unsealed charges against two Synergy subsidiaries and a ship official, alleging obstruction, fraud and misconduct resulting in death.

A shipbuilder's defect or a crew's criminal negligence? What truly caused the Dali to strike the Key Bridge?

With billions paid in settlements, can the ship's owners still limit their total liability to just $44 million?

Two years after the tragedy, why is the Dali's crew still stranded in Baltimore as legal battles continue?