Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers is currently accepting cases involving those injured or killed in the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland.
Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers and its legal teams have extensive experience handling maritime cases, including recovering $156 million for deaths caused when a duck boat sank. We have been handling maritime injury and other injury cases since 1990 and have recovered over 0,000,000 on behalf of injury victims. Our extensive experience in handling maritime injury and other injury cases means we can recover the most money possible for you.
We will handle your bridge collapse case on a contingency fee basis, which means that you won’t be charged any fee until and unless we recover compensation on your behalf. The only fee you’ll ever owe us for handling your bridge collapse case is a percentage of any compensation we recover for you – you won’t be charged any upfront fees or out-of-pocket fees.
If you lost a loved one to the bridge collapse, we will file a wrongful death lawsuit on your behalf seeking compensation for things like the loss of your loved one’s income, love and companionship, your grieving and suffering, and your loved one’s funeral and burial costs.
If you were injured in the bridge collapse and can’t afford medical treatment, we can get you to doctors who will treat you without charging you until your case is over. Doctors do this for our maritime injury clients because they know we get our clients great results.
Call us today for a free consultation, fill out this page’s free case evaluation form or text us from this page if you or a loved one was injured or killed in the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.
The Baltimore Bridge Collapse
On Tuesday, March 26, 2024, the container ship Dali, a 984 foot long behemoth weighing over 200 million pounds, slammed into one of the support pillars of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland. The 1.6 mile long bridge immediately collapsed, causing eight construction workers to fall into the Patapsco River. Two of the workers were rescued, two of the workers’ bodies were found dead and the other four workers are missing and presumed dead. One of the rescued workers escaped injury-free and the other ended up being transported to the hospital, injured, in critical condition.
The crash’s cause is being probed by investigators. Video shows the ship losing power before it collided with the bridge, and investigators are probing if contaminated fuel possibly caused the ship to lose power.
A 200 million pound container ship does not just crash into a bridge without negligence occurring. Negligence is the failure to exercise reasonable care in order to prevent harm from occurring.
In addition, negligence may have occurred in the design or maintenance of the bridge. A Drexel University professor of structural engineering told Fox 29 Philadelphia that bridges should be designed to stand when one support is taken out, questioning if protection systems were in place around the bridge to prevent ships from striking it.
When people are injured or killed due to negligence, they or their loved ones are eligible for financial compensation for all damages suffered due to said negligence.
If you or a loved one was injured or killed in the Baltimore bridge collapse, we will file a lawsuit on your behalf against any parties whose negligence contributed to the accident, whether those parties are a shipping company, a fuel supplier, a shipmaker, those responsible for designing and maintaining the bridge, or other parties.
What Compensation Is Available for Victims of the Bridge Collapse?
If you or a loved one was injured or killed in the Francis Scott Key bridge collapse, Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers can help you recover financial compensation for:
Wrongful Death
If you lost a loved one to the Baltimore bridge collapse, unfortunately, no amount of financial compensation will be able to bring your loved one back. However, financial compensation can help ensure that the tragic bridge collapse doesn’t cause your family to go through financial hardship.
If you lost a loved one due to the bridge collapse, we will file a wrongful death lawsuit on your behalf, seeking financial compensation for:
- The loss of your loved one’s companionship, love, consortium, household services and income
- Your grieving
- Your suffering
- Your loved one’s medical bills, funeral costs, burial costs, pain and suffering
Medical Bills
If you were injured in the bridge collapse, you might already be facing huge medical bills, and your injuries may require future treatment which will generate yet more medical expenses. We can help recover compensation for any past or future medical bills related to your injuries in the bridge collapse.
Lost Wages
If you got injured in the bridge collapse, you might have been hurt too badly to work for a period of time, and you might need to miss time from work to have your injuries treated. We can help recover compensation for any wages you’re unable to earn due to your bridge collapse injuries.
Loss of Earning Capacity
If you were left disabled by your bridge collapse injuries, we can help you recover financial compensation for the loss or reduction of your earning capacity caused by your disability.
Pain and Suffering
If you were injured in the Baltimore bridge collapse, we can accurately calculate how much compensation you’re eligible for related to your physical pain and mental suffering and ensure you’re fairly compensated for your pain and suffering.
Are You Eligible for a Lawsuit if Your Loved One Died in the Bridge Collapse?
To determine if you’re eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit after your loved one died in the bridge collapse, the wrongful death attorneys at our law firm will begin by examining the relationship you had with your loved one.
In the State of Maryland, the surviving parents, children or spouses of victims are eligible to file wrongful death claims. These parties may benefit from financial compensation awarded in wrongful death cases.
According to Maryland law, plaintiffs may bring wrongful death claims against parties whose negligence cause victims’ deaths, and plaintiffs can bring actions in rem against vessels if their defaults causes victims’ deaths. The part of that statute relating to vessels may apply to any wrongful death claim which arises from the bridge collapse, since the collapse involved a ship. Though the cause of the accident is still being investigated, it’s overwhelmingly likely that negligence was involved in the accident.
Damages for the Families of Bridge Collapse Victims
At the time of the bridge collapse, Maryland limits financial compensation regarding non-economic damages when wrongful death claims are filed. Despite the existence of this damages cap, our lawyers can fight to recover the maximum amount of financial compensation which you and your loved ones are eligible for.
According to Maryland law, every wrongful death claim does not limit recovery to just economic damages – juries can award the survivors of victims non-economic damages when it is applicable to losses like emotional pain, suffering, mental anguish, and loss of care, comfort, companionship and society.
Maryland law limits non-economic damages in wrongful death cases which involve a single beneficiary to $935,000. This limit is increased by $15,000 every year, but the limit of $935,000 will apply to bridge collapse claims. If multiple beneficiaries exist in a claim, this limit is increased to 150% of the limitation for claims with a single beneficiary.
Maryland law states that economic damages are comprised of lost wages and medical bills. In bridge collapse wrongful death claims, juries will consider any medical expenses a victims incurred before dying if they incurred any medical bills between the time the accident occurred and their death, as well as any future lost income for your family due to the death of the victim.
What Can Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers Do for You?
If you or your loved one was injured or killed in the Baltimore bridge collapse, our lawyers will:
Help Identify the At-Fault Party or Parties
It is not always possible to clearly assign negligence to a single individual. In the case of the Baltimore bridge collapse, multiple parties may be at fault, as negligence may have caused the ship to steer into the path of the bridge, negligence may have caused the ship to be able to collide with the bridge, and negligence may have caused the bridge to collapse after the ship collided with it.
We will thoroughly investigate the circumstances of your case, hiring experts who can help determine who was ultimately at fault for you or your loved one’s injuries or death. We will identify all liable parties in order to hold them accountable and maximize your financial recovery.
Provide You With Counsel and Advice
Your case will need to be assessed early on. You may only seek financial compensation for injuries or wrongful death if you possess a strong legal foundation in requesting compensation.
Most maritime injury cases are the result of negligence. You need to be able to prove another party’s negligence caused you or your loved one to be injured or killed. If you can’t prove that negligence occurred, you won’t have a strong legal foundation for requesting compensation.
Our lawyers can assess your case’s circumstances and determine if your case is legally valid. We can also determine if your case may involve avenues for compensation other than negligence, such as product liability. If a defective product ended up contributing to the bridge collapse, you may be able to recover compensation based on strict liability rather than negligence.
Just as important is the fact that our lawyers can assess your case’s value. You may seek economic damages as well as non-economic damages in your case.
Economic damages are the objective financial costs you suffered due to the bridge collapse, like lost income or medical bills. Non-economic damages are non-objective damages like pain and suffering or diminishment of life quality.
Our lawyers can provide you with a case review and give you advice regarding your next steps. Our lawyers can explain the drawbacks and benefits of all of your legal options and help you choose your legal path.
Advocacy and Representation
If we file a lawsuit on your behalf, we will represent you in any lawsuit or insurance claim which stems from the bridge collapse. Hiring a lawyer to represent you early on in your case can assist you in avoiding mistakes which can negatively impact the compensation you’re eligible for.
An insurance company may get involved, meaning an insurance claim will need to be filed. This insurance claim will document all of the losses you suffered, explaining the legal basis regarding the insurer’s liability.
Our lawyers can:
- Investigate the bridge collapse
- Advise you regarding what you should not or should say to any insurance companies
- Prepare and file an insurance claim
- Collect evidence to support your claim or case
- Respond to any communications from insurers
If an insurance company won’t pay you the compensation you deserve for your losses, we’ll prepare and file a lawsuit for you. We can represent you at trial, as well as in any depositions, in order to defend your legal rights.
Negotiation
Most injury cases such as maritime injury cases are settled out of court. Only around three percent of injury cases end up going before juries.
If insurers are involved in your bridge collapse case, the insurers may acknowledge their liability, but only offer you a tiny settlement. The insurance company will attempt to settle with you for the least amount of money possible.
Our lawyers negotiate with insurance companies every day. We can use our experience, legal knowledge and negotiation skills to cut through arguments presented by insurance companies and fight for your right to receive a fair settlement.
Is There a Time Limit to File a Bridge Collapse Lawsuit?
The Baltimore bridge collapse occurred in the state of Maryland. Both Maryland law and federal maritime law give injury victims three years from the date of their injury to file a lawsuit seeking compensation for their injuries.
This means that if you or a loved one was injured or killed in the Baltimore bridge collapse, you will have three years from the date of the accident to file an injury claim or a wrongful death claim. Failure to file a claim within this time frame could forever bar you from recovering compensation.
However, there are certain circumstances which can lengthen or shorten the statute of limitations for injury or wrongful death cases. The best way to find out if you’re eligible to file a lawsuit is by calling us today for a free consultation.
In addition, you shouldn’t expect the best results in your bridge collapse case if you wait until the last minute to call a lawyer or file a claim or lawsuit. Calling us today for a free consultation gives us the most time possible to investigate your claim, build a strong, convincing case for you and ensure than any paperwork is filed on time.
Baltimore Bridge Collapse Updates
May 6, 2024 Update
Business owners in Baltimore have filed a class action lawsuit against the operators and owners of the ship which collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing the bridge to collapse, effectively shutting down Baltimore's port and access to businesses in the area.
The lawsuit alleges that the accident was a "direct consequence of negligence," alleging the accident was caused by the "carelessness, negligence, gross negligence, and recklessness" of the defendants, "compounded by the unseaworthiness of the vessel."
The lawsuit alleges that the owners of the ship employed a crew which was inattentive, failed to adhere to navigational customs and norms, and lacked the proper skills to safely operate the ship. The lawsuit also claims the ship was equipped negligently and hadn't been properly maintained, leading to issues with the steering system, propulsion system and engines.
The lawsuit claims that the accident has caused commercial activities in the city to come to a virtual standstill, and that it make take years for a full recovery for the area.
April 30, 2024 Update
A lawsuit has been filed by the City of Baltimore against the owners of the ship which collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing the bridge to collapse, leading to the deaths of six workers. The lawsuit names the owners and management company of the M/V Dali as defendants, accusing these companies of negligence and alleging the ship was "unseaworthy" when the crash occurred.
The lawsuit alleges that operators of the ship were aware that the ship had problems long before the crash, but kept the ship in operation despite knowing about the risks. The lawsuit claims that before the ship left the port, alarms showed an inconsistent power supply on the ship, and that the ship left its port despite this obviously unseaworthy condition.
The companies have filed a petition to limit their liability for the collapse under an 1851 law which limits liability to vessels' remaining value after marine accidents. The lawsuit refers to the actions of the defendants as "grossly and potentially criminally negligent," urging the rejection of limitations upon the companies' liability.
April 16, 2024 Update
A criminal investigation has been opened by the FBI regarding the ship which brought the Francis Scott Key Bridge down in Baltimore in March. The probe will look into if the crew left its port knowing the ship had serious systemic problems, according to a report by The Washington Post.
It is against the law to knowingly send vessels to see when they are known to be in an unseaworthy condition.
April 9, 2024 Update
On April 1, Grace Ocean Private Limited, who owns the Dali, as well as Synergy Marine PTE Ltd., the management company for the ship, filed a petition seeking to limit their liability in the Baltimore bridge collapse to $43.6 million - $42,500,000 for the value of the ship and $1,170,000 for the value of the cargo.
The petition is based on an 1851 law which limits liability to a vessel's remaining value after an incident occurs. The law was put into place when it was much more dangerous to cross oceans, with losses in shipping so common that if companies were always held fully liable for damages in incidents, many companies would go out of business.
March 31, 2024 Update
The March 26 collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge is expected to be the genesis of numerous entities facing lawsuits.
The cause of the bridge collapse is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board. The results of the investigation will likely have a huge impact upon numerous entities which may be defendants in lawsuits over the accident. Billions of dollars may be on the line regarding liability for personal injuries, business disruption claims and property damage claims.
It is already being predicted by experts that Grace Ocean, the owner of the ship, may face huge lawsuits, with their legal liability potentially reaching nine digits. Synergy Marine operates and manages the ship, and the ship was chartered to A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S, a shipping company which isn't likely to face a lot of legal liability.
However, Synergy Marine and Grace Ocean may see wrongful death suits filed against them by the families of the construction workers lost in the accident, as well as lawsuits over economic damages filed by numerous plaintiffs, as it's expected the bridge collapse will have gargantuan impacts upon supply chains and international shipping around the world. The bridge collapse is expected to negatively impact local businesses and jobs.
Analysts have noted these companies' insurers may face billions of dollars worth of liability in litigation.
However, there may be some protection in place for Grace Ocean in the form of an 1851 law called the "Titanic Law" which limits shipping accident liability to the cargo's cost and the ship's cost.
Why Do I Need a Bridge Collapse Lawyer?
Navigation of a bridge collapse’s aftermath is very complicated – it involves numerous stakeholders, such as insurance firms, construction companies and government agencies. The process being this complex is why it is critical for you to have a skilled lawyer on your side. An attorney experienced in handling maritime cases such as the lawyers at Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers can provide you with valuable assistance by making sure your legal rights end up being protected and helping you navigate the intricate regulatory and legal landscape. We will work tirelessly to uncover the root causes of the ship crashing into the bridge and the bridge collapsing, whether design flaws, negligent maintenance or other factors are involved.
By leveraging our expertise, you can secure the financial compensation you need for medical bills, lost income, burial costs, funeral costs and other damages. In addition, our lawyers can play an important role in holding accountable any responsible parties, helping to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
Call us today for a free case evaluation if you or a loved one was injured or killed in the Francis Scott Key bridge collapse in Baltimore, Maryland. Remember – we’ll handle your bridge collapse case without charging you any fee until and unless we win your case.
