Liskow finalizes historic settlement for the State of Maryland in Francis Scott Key Bridge allision

Liskow has finalized a settlement for its client, the State of Maryland, in connection with the M/V DALI’s allision with the Francis Scott Key Bridge, marking the largest single maritime property damage settlement in U.S. history.

“We are honored to have represented the State of Maryland in this complex dispute with Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Pte Ltd., owner of the M/V DALI,” said Liskow’s maritime shareholder and lead trial counsel David Reisman. “We hope this settlement — one of the largest maritime settlements that we’ve seen in 20 years — brings not just financial resolution, but also a measure of peace, closure, and the necessary resources for Maryland and its residents to rebuild.”

The settlement arises from a claim brought by the State of Maryland, the Maryland Attorney General, and all State agencies in September 2024 against Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Pte Ltd. Its vessel collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore on March 26, 2024, causing a catastrophic collapse that killed six construction workers and shut down port operations. The State sought damages on behalf of its agencies for the destruction of the bridge, harm to the Patapsco River and surrounding environment, lost revenues, and the broad economic losses suffered by Maryland and its residents.

“This case highlights the significant risks of marine transportation and the benefits of the P&I Club mutual insurance system for both insureds and claimants. A vessel owner who was not entered with one of the International Group of P&I Clubs would likely have faced a significant uninsured exposure in a casualty of this scope,” said Reisman.

Liskow is fortunate to have a global reputation as a go-to firm for significant maritime incidents and complex litigation in the United States. The firm has played a lead role in many of the largest offshore incidents in the world, including the GOLDEN RAY, SEACOR POWER, DEEPWATER HORIZON, OCEAN RANGER, PIPER ALPHA, NOBLE GLOBETROTTER II, and PETRONIOUS events as well as less well-known but no less significant barge sinkings on the Mississippi River, chartered drillships impacted by weather systems in The Gulf, and vessel allisions on inland waterways and bays. The firm handles maritime matters nationwide.

“I’m proud of the multidisciplinary team that came together to achieve an excellent result for the client,” said Liskow trial lawyer R. Keith Jarrett. “Collaboration and client service are core to our firm culture, both internally and externally, and those strengths are especially evident when handling complex, high stakes matters like this one.” Led by David L. Reisman and R. Keith Jarrett, the core team included Raymond T. Waid, Elizabeth “Libby” McIntosh and Jessie Elizabeth Shifalo.

Liskow was proud to work with the Maryland Attorney General’s Office, Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, Downs Ward Bender Herzog & Kintigh PA, The Lanier Law Firm, and Partridge LLC on this case.