Source: http://blog.transportbusinesslaw.com/tag/torts-negligence/
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 12:17:45+00:00

Document:
MOTOR CARRIERS (CONTRACT) / After truckload stolen at repair facility freight broker contractually on the hook for any theft loss brings third party complaint against truck repair facility – (1) Held by court: Contract count dismissed because no agreement pled as between broker and repair facility; (2) Observed by court: Perhaps freight broker “intends to state a negligence claim” of some kind not abolished by the Illinois Contribution Act – so court grants leave to plead again.
Where truckload was stolen while truck rig was being repaired. Shipper’s subrogated insurer sued freight broker on its contract with shipper to pay “full actual loss” for any theft of load. Freight broker brings third party complaint against repair facility for amount of theft loss. Held: Third party complaint dismissed without prejudice because freight broker, “has not pled any contractual agreement or relationship between [repair facility] and [freight broker] or other facts stating a facially plausible claim for indemnity”. Observed: “Perhaps, despite … some of the wording of the third-party complaint, [freight broker] intends to state a negligence claim against [repair facility] or some other cause of action” that was not abolished by the Illinois Contribution Act (740 ILCS 100 / 2 (b).
Zurich American Insurance Co. v. LCG Logistics, LLC, Slip copy, 2013 WL 675896 (U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, February 24, 2013). Free copy available here.
FEDERAL TORT CLAIMS ACT (AVIATION) / Suit under Federal Tort Claims Act for FAA’s “allegedly negligent actions” in crash into mountain in Puerto Rico of airplane piloted by wrongful death plaintiff’s husband and in which other plaintiffs’ decedents were passengers. QUESTION #1: Does such a plaintiff have to file an “SF-95” form to exhaust his or her administrative remedy by presenting a claim to the appropriate federal agency – here the FAA – and then allow six months for the agency (FAA) to investigate it? Held: No – not if the relevant decedent’s estate already filed its own SF-95 that gives substantial notice instead. QUESTION #2: Can plaintiff recover for survival damages where he or she were specifically disclaimed damages on the SF–95 by writing “none” in the box labeled “personal injury”? No – “Plaintiff explicitly noted that no personal injury claims were sought and therefore Defendant [FAA] was not put on notice of this claim as required”.
In re Air Crash Near Rio Grande Puerto Rico on December 3, 2008, Slip copy, 2013 WL 646257 (U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, February 21, 2013). No free copy available at time of posting.
TORTS (NEGLIGENCE) / In personal injury action by truck driver against shipper (retailer Wal-Mart) and provider of pallets – Held regarding shipper duties: (1) “It is reasonable for a carrier or truck driver to expect that the shipper that loads cargo onto the truck container will do so in a manner that is safe and will not increase the likelihood of accident or injury.”; and (2) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations impose legal obligations on shippers and shippers’ agents relating to safe loading of freight.
Aragon v. Wal-Mart Stores East, LP, Slip copy, 2013 WL 593837 (U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, February 15, 2013). Free copy available here.
TORTS (NEGLIGENCE & PREMISES LIABILITY) / Premises liability and negligence action against airline and U.S. Government for injuries to wheelchair-bound airline passenger as she went through TSA process at airport, case dismissed with prejudice – held: (1) plaintiff failed to exhaust administrative remedies with TSA as required by Federal Tort Claims Act for her claim against the U.S. Government, and (2) defendant airline did not have “possession” or “control” of area (TSA space in airport) where it allegedly committed premises liability or negligence torts.
Hogan v. Northwest Airlines, Inc., Slip copy, 2013 WL 607852 (U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, February 19, 2013. Free copy available here.
MARITIME (EMPLOYMENT & TORTS) / (3) Jones Act cases alleging injuries suffered by maritime employees caused (at least in part) by employer’s negligence.
Brewer v. Motiva Enterprises, LLC, Slip copy, 2013 WL 499296 (U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, February 7, 2013). Free copy available here.
Miranda v. NCL (Bahamas)Ltd, Slip copy, 2013 WL 504103 (U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, February 8, 2013). Free copy available here.
Chenevert v. Massman Construction Co., Slip copy, 2013 WL 527411 (U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi, February 11, 2013). Free copy available here.
MOTOR CARRIERS (TORTS & VICARIOUS LIABILITY) / Truck driver sues Wal-Mart for negligence for injuries she sustained when a stack of boxes fell on her as she was unloading a trailer full of merchandise at a Wal-Mart distribution center. Wal-Mart brings 3rd party complaint against motor carrier for negligence in training its employee-truck driver. Held: 3rd party complaint states a cause of action.
Salient fact: Boxes fell on truck driver when she opened the door of her truck – i.e., they fell on driver from within the truck trailer itself and not from elsewhere in the Wal-Mart facility.
Court construed 3rd party complaint as alleging acts or omissions on part of motor carrier independent and distinct from those of the truck driver herself.

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