The Lanier Law Firm Teams with Partridge LLC to Help State of Maryland Reach $2.25B Settlement in Bridge Crash Case

BALTIMORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Supported by the expertise of The Lanier Law Firm and Partridge LLC in maritime law and complex litigation, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown has finalized a $2.25 billion settlement with the owner and operator of the cargo ship M/V Dali over the vessel’s March 26, 2024, collision with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. The agreement is the largest maritime law-related settlement in U.S. history, according to attorneys at the firms.

The Houston-based Lanier Law Firm and Partridge LLC of New Orleans were among four outside counsel retained by the state with the specialized experience to pursue the multi-faceted litigation on behalf of several agencies, including the Maryland Transportation Authority, the Maryland Port Administration and the Maryland Department of the Environment.

“This was a tragedy that impacted the lives of tens of thousands of residents throughout the past two years, compounded by the fact that it was completely avoidable,” says the firm’s Mark Lanier. “We were honored to work alongside the Attorney General and his team as well as Scott Partridge and our other outstanding co-counsel in reaching a settlement that reinforces the accountability of the ship’s owners and operators.”

The process of rebuilding will cost an estimated $4-$5 billion, and a new bridge is slated to be open in 2030, according to Maryland officials. In the meantime, the bridge’s absence has disrupted the lives of commuters who relied on the passageway.

“The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge sent shockwaves through Maryland and caused damages on a scale this State had never seen,” said Attorney General Brown in announcing the resolution of the state’s litigation. “This $2.25 billion settlement reflects the full measure of accountability we were able to secure from the vessel interests -- and our pursuit of justice is not finished. We will continue to press our claims against the shipbuilder whose fault helped bring this bridge down.”

Other co-counsel included Kelley Drye & Warren LLP and Downs Ward Bender Herzog & Kintigh PA.

Read the Attorney General’s complete announcement here.

About Lanier Law Firm

The Lanier Law Firm is an award-winning national trial firm specializing in a variety of practice areas, including asbestos exposure, pharmaceutical liability, business litigation, and product liability. As one of the most experienced asbestos litigation law firms in the world, Lanier provides mesothelioma legal services in all 50 states. With talented attorneys in Houston, New York and Los Angeles, the firm has won more than $20 billion for clients since its founding in 1990. Learn more about the firm.