Maryland to receive $2.25 billion settlement from vessel owners for Key Bridge crash, AG officials say

Assistant Attorney General Jessica Finnberg told the House Environment and Transportation Committee on June 2 that Maryland has finalized a $2.25 billion settlement with the owners and operators of the vessel Dolly, which collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, 2024.

"We finalized the settlement with the owners and operators of the Dolly that will lead to a $2.25 billion recovery for the state," Finnberg said. She and Chief Deputy Attorney General Carolyn Kraki said the settlement resolves the state's claims against the vessel interests and that the agreed payment is due by June 5.

Officials said the settlement proceeds are to be transferred to the Maryland Transportation Authority for application toward the rebuild. Kraki told the committee that, to her knowledge, the funds will be allocated to MDTA and used for the bridge replacement costs; the AG's office also said it has reserved rights to pursue any other potentially responsible parties, including a manufacturer referenced in NTSB findings.

Finnberg said the families of the workers killed in the collapse have largely resolved their claims with the vessel interests; plaintiffs' settlements and stays of limitation suits were described as part of the litigation picture.

The AG's office said the settlement does not preclude pursuing other responsible parties and that litigation against other firms (for example, a manufacturer mentioned in the NTSB report) remains a possibility if evidence supports such claims.

Committee members praised the AG's office for securing the settlement and asked for details on how quickly MDTA will receive the funds and how the money will be applied to project costs; AG counsel said the payment timeline is part of the settlement and that immediate transfer to MDTA is expected.