Court Opinion

ID: 9458112
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-04 20:43:23.284702+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:35:38.587489
License: Public Domain

RONEY, Circuit Judge
(dissenting):
I would reverse the judgment against United Fruit Company because the period of limitations in the bill of lading discharges the carrier from all liability in any capacity unless suit is brought within one year of delivery, which it was not, and the indemnity agreement taken by United Fruit Company from Panama Free Port Company controls the liability as between United Fruit and Free Port. Consent to the release of the goods without the surrender of the original bill of lading was requested by Free Port. United Fruit agreed only after receiving a written release “from all claims and/or actions that may arise as a result of this release.” I do not know what more United Fruit could have done to protect against liability to Free Port and out-of-time liability to the shipper. There is no reason that the whole affair should not be controlled by the agreements of the parties.