6 families of workers who died in Key Bridge collapse settle

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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 the agreements were confirmed through court filings and attorneys representing the estates. One survivor of the March 26, 2024, disaster, Julio Cervantes Suarez, also settled. But construction inspector Damon Davis, who leapt to safety as the bridge fell, had not yet settled, according to a midday filing Friday.

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 had ordered for the shipowners to disclose by noon Friday all parties that it had settled with. Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. was another party that had settled just before the Monday trial. A spokesperson for the utility was unable to immediately answer questions about the settlement.

“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 civil trial 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.

Judson Lipowitz, part of the team that represented Suazo Sandoval’s mother, Rosa Emerita Sandoval Paz, said settling close to trial worked to his client’s advantage as she “was looking for answers and accountability.”

“Throughout the process we were able to get answers, and we were able to draw conclusions that we could prove the case,” said Lipowitz, a partner at Towson-based Azrael, Franz, Schwab, Lipowitz & Solter, LLC. He said “winning the trial would have just generated another set of litigation that would have taken another two or three years.”

“It’s very, very emotional,” he said, adding that although the settlement resolves the legal claims, “obviously, they can never replace her son.” 

Sandoval Paz, who lives in Honduras, spoke with her son every day before his death, Lipowitz said. She had reached out to him while he was working the night the bridge collapsed.

“He was preparing the bridge, helping all of us, maintaining the infrastructure in Baltimore,” said Lipowitz. He said his firm’s Spanish capabilities helped him build a relationship with Sandoval Paz over Zoom and WhatsApp meetings.

“She’s just a lovely lady; she has all of her children supporting her, but she misses her son dearly,” he said.

This story has been updated.