Business News

$Federal Judge Postpones Baltimore Bridge Collapse Trial After Settlements","description":"A federal judge has delayed the civil trial over the 2024 collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge after a wave of last‑minute settlements resolved most remaining claims. Judge James Bredar cited frustration over the timing of agreements and said the pause allows for additional settlement possibilities.","summary":"After the container ship Dali crashed into Baltimore’s Key Bridge on March 26 2024, driving six construction workers to death, a federal judge postponed the civil trial that was set to begin early May. Last‑minute settlements involving the workers’ families and other parties have largely taken care of economic losses and death claims. Judge Bredar, appointed by President Barack Obama, expressed frustration with the timing of the agreements but acknowledged that civil cases often settle before trial. Criminal charges against the ship’s operators have been filed separately and remain pending.","image":"https://picsum.photos/id/1042/800/400","text":"<h1 style=\"font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:700;font-size:24px;margin-bottom:10px;\">Federal Judge Postpones Baltimore Bridge Collapse Trial After Settlements</h1>BALTIMORE, MD — U.S. District Judge James Bredar has agreed to postpone the civil trial that was set to begin this week over the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, citing a flurry of last‑minute settlements that settled most of the remaining claims. The judgment came after the judge’s express frustration about the timing of the agreements, which settled all pending claims over the deaths of six construction workers who were working on pothole repairs when the container ship Dali lost power and crashed into the bridge on March 26 2024.Virtually all of the unresolved claims were economic in nature, alleging losses by businesses and local governments. None of the remaining parties were seeking to start the trial as scheduled. In the meantime, Judge Bredar, who was nominated by President Barack Obama, said he would defer the proceedings indefinitely to consider whether additional legal arguments could lead to further settlements, potentially ending the litigation without a trial.Bredar described himself as “highly frustrated” but noted that civil cases often settle on the eve of trial. He added, \"It’s not directed at just one side or another. It takes two to tango. I’m frustrated on behalf of the public (and) the court.\"The settlements with the families of the six workers were not made public. Less than two weeks earlier, the judge had rejected a request to delay the trial following the filing of criminal charges against the ship’s operators. On May 12, U.S. prosecutors announced indictments against Singapore‑based Synergy Marine Pte Ltd. and India‑based Synergy Maritime Pte Ltd. The indictment accuses the operators of conspiracy, misconduct causing death, and obstruction of the National Transportation Safety Board.A previous $2.25 billion settlement was announced in April between the state of Maryland, Synergy Marine and Grace Ocean Private Limited, the Singapore‑based ship owner. Grace Ocean has not been charged with any crimes related to the collapse. The city of Baltimore, which joined the companies in seeking a delay, has economic loss claims related to the bridge’s destruction. The judge’s decision to pause the trial leaves the door open for further settlements and may ultimately end the case without formal litigation.$

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