Seven families devastated by the Sapelo Island ferry dock collapse are suing contractors after a walkway designed to hold 320 people catastrophically failed with just 40 people on it, killing 7 and injuring dozens despite passing inspection just months earlier.
Key Takeaways
- Seven people died and over a dozen were injured when a ferry gangway collapsed during Cultural Day celebrations on Sapelo Island, Georgia on October 19, 2024.
- The lawsuit alleges negligence against engineering and construction companies that rebuilt the dock in 2021, claiming it lacked crucial structural reinforcement and proper welding.
- Prior warnings about the dock’s safety were reportedly ignored, including a ferry worker’s concerns about sturdiness and documented weld cracks from 2022.
- The 80-foot walkway collapsed despite supposedly being designed to support 320 people, when only approximately 40 people were on it.
- Civil rights attorney Ben Crump is among those representing the victims’ families in what he described as a “multi-million dollar” lawsuit.
Design Flaws and Ignored Warnings at Center of Lawsuit
Attorneys for the victims of the Sapelo Island ferry dock collapse filed a major lawsuit this week against four private contractors involved in rebuilding the dock in 2021. The legal action follows the tragic October 19, 2024 incident that claimed seven lives and injured more than a dozen people during the annual Fall Cultural Day celebration. According to court documents, the 80-foot walkway completely failed despite only holding about 40 people at the time—far below its supposed capacity of 320 people. The lawsuit alleges serious negligence, with attorneys pointing to inadequate structural reinforcement and improper welding techniques.
Particularly troubling are claims that warnings about the dock’s safety were repeatedly ignored. Emails from May 2022 reportedly documented concerns about weld cracks on the gangway, yet no meaningful action was taken. Similarly, a ferry worker had previously raised alarm about the structure’s sturdiness. Despite these red flags, the last inspection in December 2023 found “no issues” with the gangway—a finding the plaintiffs’ attorneys plan to vigorously challenge. The tragedy has raised serious questions about oversight and accountability in public infrastructure projects.
Victims’ Families Speak Out About Preventable Tragedy
Survivors and family members of those killed have shared heart-wrenching accounts of the disaster and its aftermath. Regina Brinson, who lost a loved one in the collapse, described the ongoing trauma during a news conference announcing the lawsuit. “The pain doesn’t get any easier whatsoever,” Brinson told the Atlanta news conference.
“I couldn’t sleep last night, My wife said I was sleeping, I was hollering in my sleep, saying, ‘I’m going to save you. I’m going to save you. I’m going to get you’,” stated Ed Grovner.
Survivor Janice Carrol, who was visiting Sapelo Island for the first time, recalled how quickly a day of celebration turned to horror. What began as an exciting cultural experience ended in a nightmare, with lasting psychological impacts. Other survivors continue to struggle with physical injuries and emotional trauma from witnessing the deaths of fellow attendees. The collapse occurred as people were boarding a ferry to leave the island, sending at least 20 people plunging into the water below with no immediate medical assistance available on the remote island.
Legal Team Demands Accountability and Prevention
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who has taken on high-profile cases nationwide, joined local attorney Chadrick A. Mance in filing the lawsuit in Gwinnett County. The legal action seeks damages for negligence, wrongful deaths, and personal injuries. During a press conference, Crump emphasized that this tragedy struck a particularly meaningful cultural celebration for the historic Gullah-Geechee community of Sapelo Island. The lawyers are pursuing what Crump described as a “multi-million dollar” lawsuit against the responsible parties.
“It was supposed to be a celebration of Black pride, but it became a day of great, great, great Black loss of humanity and life. We’re filing this lawsuit to speak to that tragedy,” said Ben Crump.
The lawsuit notably does not name the Georgia Department of Natural Resources as a defendant, though the state agency is conducting its own investigation alongside an independent engineering firm. Centennial Contractor Enterprises, one of the defendants, acknowledged awareness of the lawsuit but declined to comment on pending litigation. The legal proceedings will likely expose critical failures in both the design and construction processes, while highlighting inadequate safety protocols that could have prevented the catastrophe. For many families, the lawsuit represents both a path to justice and a means to prevent similar tragedies.
Safety Standards and Infrastructure Neglect
This case highlights broader concerns about infrastructure safety standards and accountability across America. The dock was rebuilt in 2021 following a previous lawsuit by Hogg Hummock residents over accessibility standards, yet apparently fundamental safety issues were not properly addressed. Attorneys pointed out that the island lacks medical facilities, with plans for a clinic reportedly scrapped in favor of a restaurant—a decision that may have compounded the tragedy as victims waited for emergency assistance. This neglect of essential services in favor of commercial interests raises serious questions about priorities.
“The tragic deaths and injuries caused by the collapse of the Sapelo Island dock gangway are devastating for these families and the entire community. We will not rest until we uncover the truth behind this catastrophic failure and hold those responsible accountable. This should never have happened, and it is crucial that we prevent future tragedies by addressing the negligence that led to this horrific event,” said Ben Crump.
The lawsuit shines a spotlight on what many see as a systemic problem of aging and neglected infrastructure across the country. While the investigation continues into the precise cause of the collapse, the stark contrast between the dock’s supposed capacity and its catastrophic failure points to serious engineering or construction deficiencies. For conservative taxpayers, this case exemplifies the critical need for accountability in government-contracted projects and proper oversight of taxpayer-funded infrastructure to ensure public safety is never compromised by cutting corners or regulatory failures.
