Opinion ID: 499725
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Form over Substance ?

Text: 29 In an attempt to bypass the proscription of Sec. 2(b), Intech argues that its complaint presented a state law breach of contract claim for failure to unload. We disagree. The theory of the suit concerned the carrier's breach of an obligation under the contract of carriage to deliver a shipment in good condition. Intech only sought to recover for damages occurring while the machine was in transit. As in Blish Milling Co., 241 U.S. at 197, the substance of the action is nothing more than an action for damages against the delivering carrier. Even if Intech had sought to recover damages incidental to CF's refusal to unload, the Carmack Amendment provides the exclusive remedy for such a suit. See, e.g., Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. v. Illinois Central Gulf R. Co., 721 F.2d 483, 485 (5th Cir.1983), cert. denied, 469 U.S. 832, 105 S.Ct. 122, 83 L.Ed.2d 64 (1984).