Thu Sep 12 15:56:00 UTC 2024: ## Baltimore Faces an Uphill Battle to Recover Damages After Cargo Ship Collapse
**Baltimore, MD** – The financial burden on Baltimore City following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge by the cargo ship Dali in March remains substantial. While the Patapsco River has been cleared and port activity has nearly resumed, the city faces a complex legal battle to recover its losses.
The city passed legislation aiming to recover damages including lost income, economic benefits, and costs associated with the disaster, but maritime law experts doubt its effectiveness. The U.S. Constitution grants the federal government jurisdiction over maritime law, and legal precedent suggests Baltimore’s ordinance could face a Constitutional challenge.
The legislation could potentially conflict with the “Robbins Dry Dock” decision, which requires plaintiffs to have suffered physical property damage in order to recover economic losses from maritime events. While the state of Maryland, which owns the Key Bridge, could potentially recover losses, Baltimore City’s claim could be less successful.
Baltimore’s attorneys will argue that the Dali’s owners were negligent in allowing the unseaworthy ship to sail, which contributed to the bridge’s collapse. However, some legal experts also question the retroactive application of the city’s legislation.
While the city seeks full compensation for its losses, the ultimate outcome of the litigation remains uncertain. The case highlights the complexities of maritime law and the challenges faced by municipalities seeking to recover damages from maritime disasters.
First Piper 