6 families of workers who died in Key Bridge collapse settle

The families of the six workers who died in Baltimore‘s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse settled with the Dali ship’s owner and manager just before a monthlong trial over the shipowners‘ liability.

The terms of the settlements were confidential but were confirmed through court filings and attorneys representing the estates. At least one survivor of the March 26, 2024, bridge collapse, Julio Cervantes Suarez, also settled.

Ama Frimpong, chief of services at We Are CASA, said in a statement that the six families “continue to carry profound grief and trauma” more than two years after the collapse.

“No legal proceeding or monetary settlement will ever replace the husbands, fathers, sons, brothers, and loved ones they lost to this tragedy,” she said. 

The estates of Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, Carlos Daniel Hernandez Estrella, Miguel Angel Luna, Maynor Yasir Suazo Sandoval and Jose Mynor Lopez filed notices in court Thursday evening and Friday morning that they had settled their claims against Grace Ocean Private Ltd. and Synergy Marine Group for wrongful death, survival, and punitive damages.

U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar ordered for the shipowners to disclose by noon Friday all parties that it had settled with.

“While it is very important that some legal claims have been resolved, the pain these families have endured remains,” Frimpong said. “Their focus will continue to be on rebuilding their lives, healing from trauma, supporting one another, and honoring the memory of their loved ones after a tragedy that forever changed their lives.” 

The trial scheduled to start Monday will still proceed, with Baltimore City and Baltimore County governments as well as several private claimants still litigating against the shipowners’ attempt to limit their liability under a 19th century maritime law.