United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

Erie R. Co. v. Stone, 244 U.S. 332 (1917)

Erie R. Co. v. Stone

No. 254

Argued May 3, 1917

Decided June 4, 1917

244 U.S. 332

Syllabus

In a limited liability contract governing an interstate shipment of livestock, it was stipulated, in accordance with provisions duly published and filed with the Interstate Commerce Commission, that the connecting carrier's liability for damage should be conditional upon the filing with its agent of a written notice of the shipper's claim within five days from the removal of the stock from the cars. Held, reasonable and valid.

The right of parties to an interstate shipment to limit the carrier's liability for damage to the goods, in consideration of optional reduced

Page 244 U. S. 333

rates and in accordance with schedules and a form of contract duly published and filed with the Commission, is well settled.

Such provisions for notice of claim and limited liability bind the parties until changed by the Commission.

Reversed.

The case is stated in the opinion.