Several months after a devastating bridge collapse in Baltimore, the grieving families of the workers who lost their lives in the tragedy are vowing to hold the ship's owner accountable for their loss. The incident occurred on March 26, when the cargo ship Dali, owned by Grace Ocean Private Limited based in Singapore, collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Eight workers were on the bridge at the time, fixing potholes, and sadly, six of them lost their lives. The victims were all immigrants from Latin America.

In April, Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Group, the company managing the ship, petitioned a federal court to limit their liability from the crash to the value of the ship, which they estimated to be $42.5 million. They claimed in court documents that they were not at fault for the incident. However, legal experts suggest that if evidence shows the shipowners were responsible for the crash, their ability to restrict liability could be undermined.

The families of three of the deceased workers plan to file a claim in federal court in Maryland before the September 24 deadline, seeking to challenge the ship owners' attempt to limit their liability. The families' attorney, Matthew Wessler, expressed hope that a federal judge would reject the company's plea. Maria del Carmen Castellón, whose husband Miguel Angel Luna Gonzalez was among those who perished, along with the relatives of two other victims, 26-year-old Dorlian Castillo Cabrera and 38-year-old Maynor Yasir Suazo-Sandoval, are determined to seek justice for their loved ones.

Castellón, speaking through an interpreter, shared that her husband had been a father of five, a grandfather, and a devoted son. Together for over 14 years and married for six, they had dreams of renting a location for her food truck business. In the days leading up to the tragedy, they had visited a potential spot. However, on that fateful day, she received the devastating news that her husband, a welder, was among the missing individuals after the bridge collapse.

The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge not only led to immense grief within Baltimore's growing Latino community but also sparked calls for increased protections for millions of undocumented migrant workers across the country. Castellón, along with the other families, intends to fight not only for their own loved ones but for all immigrant families who seek work permits and safer employment opportunities.

Gustavo Torres, Casa's executive director, condemned Grace Ocean Private Limited for attempting to limit liability and hiring a lobbying firm to change laws aimed at protecting vulnerable individuals. He emphasized that the workers who lost their lives were essential contributors to society, seeking a better life in the United States. Torres called for enhanced protections for migrant workers and immigration reform in light of this tragic incident.

Preliminary reports from the National Transportation Safety Board revealed that the ship lost power twice before it departed from the Port of Baltimore, which, according to Wessler, establishes the presence of negligence. The families' attorney expects a federal judge to make the final determination regarding the ship owner's liability.

As the legal battle continues, Castellón remains determined to honor her late husband's memory by pursuing her dream of opening a restaurant. She expressed her commitment to making him proud and continuing to achieve victories in his honor.

The city of Baltimore, meanwhile, opposes limiting the ship owners' liability, asserting criminal negligence on their part for allowing the ship to leave the port with an inconsistent power supply. The collapse not only led to the loss of precious lives but also had significant economic repercussions for the city.

The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are conducting investigations into the incident. The families' quest for justice, combined with ongoing legal proceedings, seek to ensure that such tragedies are prevented in the future and that the lives lost are duly honored.