Petition for Writ of Certiorari — Canadian Pacific Railway Limited, et al., Petitioners v. Joe R. Whatley, Jr., WD Trustee
Supreme Court briefFeb 13, 2019
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APPENDIX
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APPENDIX
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Appendix A Opinion of the United States Court of
Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
(September 14, 2018) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1a
Appendix B Order and Judgment of the United
States District Court District of North
Dakota, Western Division
(March 24, 2017) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18a
Appendix C Order Denying Petition for Rehearing
En Banc in the United States Court of
Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
(November 15, 2018) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38a
Appendix D 49 C.F.R. § 1005.2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40a
49 C.F.R. § 1035.1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42a
49 C.F.R. Pt. 1035, App. B . . . . . . . . . . . 43a
49 U.S.C. § 11706 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54a
Appendix E Notice of Loss, Damage or Delay
(November 5, 2013) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58a
Appendix F Disallowance of Loss, Damage and Delay
Claims
(November 27, 2013) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71a
Appendix G Excerpts from Application for Review
from WFE to Quebec Minister of
Sustainable Development, Environment,
Wildlife and Parks
(August 9, 2013) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78a
Appendix H Second Notice of Claim
(April 4, 2014) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82a
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Appendix I
Second Disallowance of Claim
(April 24, 2014) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89a
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APPENDIX A
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE EIGHTH CIRCUIT
No. 17-1677
[Filed September 14, 2018]
___________________________________
Joe R. Whatley, Jr., solely in his
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capacity as the WD Trustee
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of the WD Trust
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)
Plaintiff - Appellant
)
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v.
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)
Canadian Pacific Railway Limited;
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Canadian Pacific Railway Company;
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Soo Line Corporation; Soo Line
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Railroad Company
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Defendants - Appellees
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___________________________________ )
Appeal from United States District Court
for the District of North Dakota - Bismarck
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Submitted: March 13, 2018
Filed: September 14, 2018
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2a
Before GRUENDER, BEAM, and KELLY, Circuit
Judges.
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BEAM, Circuit Judge.
Joe Whatley, Trustee of the wrongful death claimants’
trust (WD Trust), appeals the district court’s order finding
that his claim under the Carmack Amendment, 49 U.S.C.
§ 11706, against Canadian Pacific Railway was untimely.
We reverse and remand for further proceedings.
I. BACKGROUND
On June 29, 2013, a train carrying crude oil left New
Town, North Dakota, destined for an oil refinery near Saint
John, New Brunswick, in Canada. The bill of lading for the
train’s cargo designated Western Petroleum Company1
(WFE) as the shipper, Irving Oil Ltd. as the consignee, and
Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) as the carrier. (CP is the
parent company of the other rail defendants, including Soo
Line Railroad Company, and we will refer to the
defendants collectively as CP). The bill of lading was
drafted and issued by CP and accepted by WFE through
an online process. The online form did not indicate or
designate any particular tariffs, price lists or any
limitations of liability by CP. Soo Line transported the train
from New Town, North Dakota, to just over the Canadian
border. From there, Canadian Pacific took the train to its
rail yard outside of Montreal, Quebec, where it turned the
train over to Montreal Maine & Atlantic Railway (MAR)
Canada.
1
Western Petroleum is one of several related entities that we
collectively refer to as the World Fuel Entities (WFE).
3a
Around midnight on July 5, 2013, MAR parked the train
on the main tracks and left it unattended. At some point
early in the morning of July 6, 2013, the unattended train
began rolling downhill toward Lac-Mégantic, Quebec. As
the runaway train entered Lac-Mégantic, sixty-three of the
train’s seventy-two tanker cars derailed, spilling crude oil
and causing a series of massive explosions. The derailment
and subsequent explosions killed approximately forty-seven
people and destroyed nearly the entire town of LacMégantic. Obviously, neither the tanker cars nor the cargo
made it to the intended destination and Irving did not
receive the shipment.
On August 7, 2013, MAR filed for bankruptcy
protection. On November 5, 2013, WFE sent a notice of
damages related to the derailment to CP. This letter
notified CP that it was making a claim under Canadian law,
and expressly stated that it was not making a claim under
the Carmack Amendment. See 49 U.S.C. § 11706 (codifying
the exclusive remedy for the liability of rail carriers under
receipts and bills of lading). This WFE letter further stated
that a Carmack Amendment claim would be sent at a later
date. On November 27, 2013, CP responded to WFE by
denying the Canadian claim, and by noting that the
Canadian claim was indeed not a claim pursuant to the
Carmack Amendment. CP also stated in the November 27
denial that,
even if [WFE] were to submit a proper Carmack
Amendment claim, CP’s liability, if any, could not
exceed the value of the lading (crude oil) and would
not encompass rail-car damage claims or indemnity
against third-party tort or governmental
environmental claims. Those matters
4a
unquestionably go beyond the value of the property
that CP received for transportation.
Appellant’s App. at 1944.
On April 4, 2014, WFE sent a notice of claim to CP
under the Carmack Amendment for all damages arising out
of the derailment, including any amounts that WFE might
be liable for to injured parties or for environmental
cleanup. CP sent a letter in response to WFE on April 24
acknowledging that the April 4 claim was proper notice for
the Carmack Amendment claim, and that WFE’s
November 5 claim was under Canadian law, but ultimately
disallowing the Carmack Amendment claim based upon
WFE’s alleged negligent conduct.2
Irving sent CP a letter on April 16, 2015, notifying it of
potential derailment claims under various laws, including
the Carmack Amendment. CP did not respond to Irving’s
letter. In October 2015, a bankruptcy court in Maine
confirmed the MAR bankruptcy plan, and the federal
district court in Maine adopted this order. CP withdrew its
objections to confirmation of the plan. As may be relevant,
the bankruptcy plan tolled any and all applicable limitations
periods.
WFE and Irving settled its negligence claims against
MAR’s Chapter 11 Trustee and the Canadian insolvency
2
In its November 2013 and April 2014 denial letters, CP references
several different tariffs, including ones that allegedly incorporate the
Uniform Straight Bill of Lading. Addendum at 21-24; 28-31. However,
the actual tariffs or their contents are apparently not in the record. In
a submission to a Canadian Minister of the Environment, WFE
references a similar tariff which allegedly incorporates the Uniform
Straight Bill of Lading. App. at 2246.
5a
monitor for $110 million U.S. dollars and $75 million in
Canadian currency, respectively. The Trustee assigned
Whatley, the Trustee of the WD Trust, the rights of both
WFE and Irving to bring any possible claims against CP
under the Carmack Amendment. Whatley brought claims
pursuant to the Carmack Amendment in the District Court
of North Dakota on behalf of WFE and Irving on April 12,
2016. CP filed an answer to the complaint in May 2016, and
a motion for judgment on the pleadings or in the
alternative, for summary judgment, in November 2016,
seeking to dismiss the Carmack Amendment claims as
untimely and for other reasons. In March 2017, the district
court granted the motion. The court rejected Whatley’s
arguments that CP was barred by res judicata from
denying the claims because it did not object when the
bankruptcy Trustee was considering whether to assign the
Carmack Amendment claims to the WD Trust. The court
determined that it should consider WFE’s and Irving’s
claims separately, and ruled that WFE’s Carmack
Amendment claim was untimely because suit was not filed
within two years of the denial letter sent by CP on
November 27, 2013. The court further held that while
Irving had standing to pursue its claim, it was also untimely
because it did not provide notice of the claim within nine
months of the incident. The district court did not specify
whether the ruling was on the pleadings or on summary
judgment grounds. Whatley appeals.
II. DISCUSSION
A motion for judgment on the pleadings is reviewed de
novo and should be granted only if the moving party has
clearly demonstrated that no material issue of fact remains
and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of
law. Elnashar v. U.S. Dep’t of Justice, 446 F.3d 792, 794
6a
(8th Cir. 2006). We construe the facts in the complaint as
true, and all reasonable inferences are drawn in the
plaintiff’s favor. Id. When matters outside the pleadings are
considered by the court, the motion shall be treated as one
for summary judgment. McAuley v. Fed. Ins. Co., 500 F.3d
784, 787 (8th Cir. 2007).
The Carmack Amendment “imposes upon ‘receiving rail
carrier[s]’ and ‘delivering rail carrier[s]’ liability for
damage caused during the rail route under the bill of
lading, regardless of which carrier caused the damage.”
Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd. v. Regal-Beloit Corp., 561 U.S.
89, 98 (2010) (alterations in original) (quoting 49 U.S.C.
§ 11706(a)). Its purpose is to relieve cargo owners “of the
burden of searching out a particular negligent carrier from
among the often numerous carriers handling an interstate
shipment of goods.” Reider v. Thompson, 339 U.S. 113, 119
(1950). To help achieve this goal, the Carmack Amendment
constrains carriers’ ability to limit liability by contract. 49
U.S.C. § 11706(c).
As noted, a claim under the Carmack Amendment is the
exclusive remedy to recover under a bill of lading. The
statute sets forth the following language regarding when
claims for recovery can be made:
A rail carrier may not provide by rule, contract, or
otherwise, a period of less than 9 months for filing a
claim against it under this section and a period of
less than 2 years for bringing a civil action against
it under this section. The period for bringing a civil
action is computed from the date the carrier gives a
person written notice that the carrier has disallowed
any part of the claim specified in the notice.
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49 U.S.C. § 11706(e) (emphasis added). Thus, the statute
sets forth the floor–the minimum period which a carrier
must give the shipper to give notice of a claim under section
11706. See Louisiana & W. R.R. Co. v. Gardiner, 273 U.S.
280, 284 (1927) (noting that similar language from an
earlier version of the Carmack Amendment was not
“intended to operate as a statute of limitation” but rather
was meant to “restrict[] the freedom of carriers to fix the
period within which suit could be brought”). An appendix to
the implementing regulation, 49 C.F.R. pt. 1035, on the
other hand, appears to set forth a clear time limitation. See
49 C.F.R. pt. 1035, App. B, § 2(b) (stating that when a
carrier fails to deliver cargo, “[a]s a condition precedent to
recovery, claims must be filed in writing with the [carrier]
. . . within nine months after a reasonable time for delivery
has elapsed” and further specifying that a lawsuit must be
filed “within two years and one day from the day” the
carrier gave written notice denying the claim). The
regulation states that rail carriers “are required to use
straight bills of lading as prescribed in Appendix . . . B.” 49
C.F.R. pt. 1035.1(a).3 The record in the instant matter
contains a rather generic bill of lading but there is nothing
specific in the bill of lading in this record about whether the
3
However, we are perplexed by the fact that this regulation appendix
language seems to mandate a nine-month notice and two-year lawsuit
ceiling when the unambiguous statute sets a floor for these same time
limits. This makes the regulation completely at odds with the statute;
for instance, the regulation requires that notice of a claim be given
within nine months, while the statute clearly states that a carrier may
not provide a period of less than nine months for filing a claim. 49
C.F.R. pt. 1035, App. B, § 2(b); 49 U.S.C. § 11706(e). However, the
validity of this particular regulation has not been called into question
in this case and we express no opinion on the subject.
8a
parties agreed to the uniform language set forth in the
regulation.
Whatley pleaded a prima facie case under the Carmack
Amendment by setting forth facts establishing: (a) that
WFE delivered the cargo to CP in good order and
condition; (b) that the cargo did not arrive; and (c) the
amount of damages incurred. See Mo. Pac. R.R. Co. v.
Elmore & Stahl, 377 U.S. 134, 138 (1964) (listing elements
of prima facie case under the Carmack Amendment). Thus,
if the district court erred in finding the claim to be
untimely, reversal is warranted at this stage of the
proceedings–either judgment on the pleadings or summary
judgment. Although Whatley has been assigned the right
to bring claims for both entities, because WFE and Irving
are somewhat differently situated, we discuss them
separately.
A. WFE
As stated, it is unclear from the current record whether
the parties agreed to the uniform language from the
regulation appendix setting a nine-month time period for
notice, and a two-year (and a day) time limit for filing suit
from the date that the claim was denied. Because of the
outcome of our WFE analysis, we will assume that those
time limits did, indeed, apply to WFE in this case. Given
that assumption, unless the November 2013 exchange of
correspondence between WFE and CP can be construed as
a claim and a denial under the Carmack Amendment,
WFE’s claim based upon the claim letter and denial in
April 2014 make Whatley’s April 2016 lawsuit timely in any
event.
Whatley alleges that the claims in the complaint were
timely pursuant to the April 4, 2014, notice, the April 24,
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2014, response and the filing of this April 12, 2016, suit in
federal court. It is clear that WFE timely filed its notice of
claim by sending its Carmack Amendment notice on April
4, 2014. The incident occurred on July 7, 2013. April 4 is
less than nine months later. Thus, the essence of WFE’s
dispute centers on the effect of the November 27, 2013,
denial issued by CP for WFE’s Canadian claims. If, as CP
asserts, the November denial was a blanket denial of all
claims, including any possible future Carmack Amendment
claims, the two-year “limitations” period bars Whatley’s
claim because it ran in November 2015. If, however, the
November 2013 denial did not affect the future, as-yet-tobe-asserted Carmack Amendment claims, the suit was
timely brought within two years of the CP denial in April
2014.
CP alleges WFE’s written notice in November 2013
started the two-year clock, and the fact that the November
5, 2013, letter from WFE specifically disclaims any
reference to a Carmack Amendment claim does not matter
because the notice of claim need not reference the Carmack
Amendment; instead, CP asserts, any form of claim denial
starts the limitations period, citing Adams Express Co. v.
Croninger, 226 U.S. 491 (1913); Gulf Rice Arkansas, LLC
v. Union Pacific Railroad Co., 376 F. Supp. 2d 715 (S.D.
Tex. 2005); Zarnoski-McCathern v. Eagle Van Lines, No.
04-CV-0155, 2005 WL 292439 (N.D. Tex. Feb. 8, 2005); and
Conagra, Inc. v. Burlington Northern, Inc., 438 F. Supp.
1266, 1268 (D. Neb. 1977) (“Any written document which
identifies the damaged shipment and indicates an intention
to hold the carrier responsible is sufficient.”), in support of
its arguments.
The two Texas district court cases are quite
distinguishable as they involve shippers’ attempts to bring
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state law claims against the carriers, and once the cases
were removed to the Texas federal district courts, the
courts appropriately found the state claims preempted by
the Carmack Amendment. Gulf Rice Ark., 376 F. Supp. 2d
at 719; Eagle Van Lines, 2005 WL 292439, at *2. Moreover,
the courts in these cases analyzed the specific language of
the agreements entered into by the parties to assess
timeliness, and therefore these cases do not support the
assertion that any form of claim denial will start the
running of a two-year limitations period as a matter of law.
See Gulf Rice Ark., 376 F. Supp. 2d at 724; Eagle Van
Lines, 2005 WL 292439, at *3. And the Burlington
Northern case cited by CP is not at all on point; in that case
the issue was whether the Carmack Amendment
notification needed to be a “[d]etailed documentation of the
claim,” rather than a simple notice. 438 F. Supp. at 1268. It
was not a situation where a claim other than one under the
Carmack Amendment was initially alleged or a matter
discussing the adequacy of a denial. Id. The Croninger case
is one of the first few Supreme Court cases construing the
Carmack Amendment, which was enacted in 1906 as an
amendment to the Interstate Commerce Act (although the
Amendment has been altered and recodified over the last
century). See Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, 561 U.S. at 96.
Among other things, Croninger addressed the shipper’s
limited recovery options when it elected a lower shipping
rate in exchange for releasing its goods at the standard
value of the goods. 226 U.S. at 509. While Croninger does
stand for the proposition that common law claims against
carriers are preempted by the Carmack Amendment, id. at
510-11, nothing in Croninger suggests that a carrier can
preemptively deny a Carmack Amendment claim before it
has been asserted.
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Here we have the unusual situation where the first
claim made was pursuant to Canadian law. According to the
November letter, WFE was required by Canadian law to
submit notice of this claim within four months of the
occurrence. WFE’s November 5 notice expressly denied
that WFE was making its Carmack Amendment claim, and
noted that it would do so at a later time. The statute itself
defines a Carmack Amendment claim as one being brought
“under this section.” 49 U.S.C. § 11706(e). Indeed, if WFE
had failed to make its April 2014 claim, CP might be
arguing that the November notice did not assert a Carmack
Amendment claim. See, e.g., Am. Rock Salt Co., LLC v.
Norfolk S. Corp., 387 F. Supp. 2d 197, 204 (W.D.N.Y. 2005)
(holding that shipper who gave written notice that it would
be filing a claim “at some unspecified later date” but did not
do so within nine months, did not adequately preserve its
Carmack Amendment claim). To be sure, American Rock
Salt is a bit distinguishable because the “will be filing”
notice contained no specifics about damages. Id. at 203.
Here, by necessity and due to the operation of Canadian
law, damages (in the amount of approximately $4.9 million)
were mentioned in the November 2013 correspondence.
But equally clear in WFE’s November correspondence was
the notation that WFE was not yet making its Carmack
Amendment claim. When it ultimately gave its Carmack
Amendment notice in April 2014, WFE asked for damages
in the amount of $6,670,593.27 and also noted that other
damages (for property and wrongful death) were yet to be
determined. We think it would be unwise policy, and
actually unfair in this unusually complicated multi-national
case, to allow the carrier to start the two-year clock when
the shipper had not yet broken the huddle. We certainly
agree that a denial starts the clock; but according to the
statute, the denial must be from a claim brought “under
this section.” 49 U.S.C. § 11706(e). WFE’s November claim
12a
was assuredly and explicitly not brought pursuant to 49
U.S.C. § 11706. Accordingly we reverse the district court’s
grant of judgment on the pleadings (or summary judgment)
as to Whatley’s claim on behalf of WFE.
B. Irving
Whatley’s Irving claim is more problematic because
Irving first gave notice in April 2015. If, indeed, the time
limitations presumed in the previous section applied to the
bill of lading in this case, Whatley’s claim on behalf of
Irving could be time-barred. Whatley alleges that since
Irving was not a party to the bill of lading, it was not bound
by any possible nine-month period for bringing suit. And,
Irving alleges it was not required to provide notice of a
claim until it was able to calculate its damages with
reasonable precision. Because many of the claims against
Irving were not alleged until the MAR bankruptcy case
took shape, and the bankruptcy plan was confirmed in
October 2015, Irving argues that its claim, made in April
2015, was as timely as reasonably possible. Finally, it
alleges that the bankruptcy plan tolled any applicable
statutes of limitations, including ones that may apply to the
Carmack Amendment claims. However, CP points out that
Irving cannot both escape the timing rules (that CP alleges
are in the bill of lading and tariffs) and reap the benefits of
the damages provisions by way of the bill of lading through
the Carmack Amendment.
More persuasively, however, Whatley alleges that there
is a genuine dispute over the very existence of contractual
terms in the bill of lading providing for a nine-month notice
period and a two-year suit limitation, precluding both
dismissal on the pleadings or summary judgment as a
matter of law. Whatley alleged in the pleadings that the bill
of lading did not contain terms setting forth the nine-month
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notice and two-year period for bringing suit. And as
previously noted, the specific language and/or the tariffs
themselves do not appear to be in the record on appeal.
This omission and factual dispute precludes judgment on
the pleadings or summary judgment in favor of CP with
regard to Irving’s claims. See Shao v. Link Cargo (Taiwan)
Ltd., 986 F.2d 700, 707-08 (4th Cir. 1993) (holding that the
record was insufficient to determine whether contractual
time limits applied to bar the Carmack Amendment claim,
and thus, remand was warranted); Tr. of Oral Decision, In
re: Maine Montreal & Atlantic Ry., Ltd., Adv. No. 13-01033
(Bankr. D. Me. June 22, 2018) (rejecting argument that the
bill of lading governing the same train at issue in the
instant dispute automatically incorporated the terms of the
uniform bill of lading). Although WFE may have arguably
conceded this point, see ante n.2, Irving has not. If on
remand it becomes clear that the nine-month notice and
two-year lawsuit limits contractually apply, then Irving’s
Carmack Amendment claim is untimely, unless Irving’s
tolling arguments, based upon MAR’s bankruptcy action,
are meritorious. As the district court did not address
Irving’s tolling arguments below, we leave it to the district
court to discern the applicability of any tolling, if necessary.
III. CONCLUSION
Accordingly, we reverse and remand for proceedings
consistent with this opinion.
GRUENDER, Circuit Judge, concurring in part and
dissenting in part.
Over the past several decades, deregulation has
revolutionized the law governing the interstate shipment of
goods. See 22 Richard A. Lord, Williston on Contracts
§ 59:1 (4th ed. 2018). While these changes have given
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shippers and carriers greater freedom in making contracts,
in this case the law mandated the contractual terms at
issue. For this reason, I disagree that there is a genuine
dispute over the contractual terms governing Whatley’s
Irving Oil claim, and I respectfully dissent from Part II.B
of the court’s decision. Because the two-year limitation on
Whatley’s WFE claim ran from the April 24, 2014 denial
letter rather than the November 27, 2013 denial letter, I
agree that the WFE claim is timely and concur in that
portion of the court’s opinion and judgment.
For shipments subject to the Carmack Amendment, rail
carriers must use the uniform straight bill of lading
prescribed by federal regulations.4 49 C.F.R. § 1035.1; id.
pt. 1035, apps. A, B; see also C.A.R. Transp. Brokerage Co.
v. Darden Rests., Inc., 213 F.3d 474, 478 (9th Cir. 2000)
(explaining that rail and water carriers, but not motor
carriers, must use the uniform straight bill of lading).
Under § 2(b) of the uniform straight bill of lading, claims
involving a failure to make delivery must be filed in writing
with the carrier “within nine months after a reasonable
time for delivery has elapsed.” 49 C.F.R. pt. 1035, app. B.
Likewise, § 2(b) permits a lawsuit to be filed “only within
two years and one day from the day when notice in writing
is given by the carrier to the claimant that the carrier has
4
The Carmack Amendment does not necessarily apply to rail
shipments. As part of the deregulation of the transportation industry,
“shippers and carriers [may] sidestep federal regulation of
transportation agreements by entering into private contracts” that are
not subject to the Carmack Amendment, 49 U.S.C. § 11706, but instead
are governed by 49 U.S.C. § 10709. Babcock & Wilcox Co. v. Kansas
City S. Ry., 557 F.3d 134, 138 (3d Cir. 2009); see also 1 Saul Sorkin,
Goods in Transit § 5.02 n.167 (2018). But the parties here have made
no argument that this contract is governed by § 10709. On the contrary,
Whatley states that his claims arise under § 11706.
15a
disallowed the claim or any part or parts thereof specified
in the notice.”5 Id.
As the court points out, it is not clear from the record
whether WFE and Irving Oil expressly agreed to this
language. Ante, at 7. But because the uniform bill of lading
is required by federal law, the time limitation requirements
bind the parties regardless. See Comsource Indep.
Foodservice Cos. v. Union Pac. R.R., 102 F.3d 438, 443-44
(9th Cir. 1996); Glenn Hunter & Assocs. v. Union Pac.
R.R., No. 3:01-CV-7602, 2003 WL 403178, at *1 (N.D. Ohio
Jan. 22, 2003) (“The omission of the required language does
not relieve the Union Pacific of its effect, because the
applicable regulation requires the inclusion of that
5
As Whatley notes, 49 U.S.C. § 11706(e) requires a minimum of nine
months for claims and two years for instituting suits but otherwise
allows parties to negotiate limitations periods. Before the ICC
Termination Act of 1995, these floors were codified at 49 U.S.C.
§ 11707(e) and applied to carriers generally. For rail and water
carriers, the Interstate Commerce Commission (“ICC”) prescribed the
uniform straight bill of lading, which mandated the precise time periods
described above. See Bills of Lading, 58 Fed. Reg. 60797 (Nov. 18, 1993)
(to be codified at 49 C.F.R. pt. 1035); Bills of Lading, 9 I.C.C.2d 1137
(1993). Thus, there was no inconsistency between the statute, which
generally gave carriers the freedom to impose time limitations by rule
or contract subject to the statutory floors, and the regulation, which
imposed more stringent standards on rail and water carriers by
requiring them to use the uniform straight bill of lading. The ICC
Termination Act transformed § 11707 and created separate statutory
provisions for different types of carriers. 49 U.S.C. § 11706 (rail
carriers), § 14706 (motor carriers and freight forwarders), § 15906
(pipeline carriers). But because the ICC Termination Act contains a
savings clause stipulating that previous ICC regulations remain in
force, Pub. L. No. 104-88, § 204, 109 Stat. 803, 941 (1995), there is no
reason to read § 11706(e) as casting doubt on the continuing validity of
49 C.F.R. § 1035.1.
16a
language in the bill of lading.”); 2 Sorkin, supra n.1, § 10.02
(“If the contractual limitation of action is provided for in
the tariff and regulations, no other notice[] is required to
the shipper.”). Consequently, I disagree with the court that
“there is a genuine dispute over the very existence of
contractual terms in the bill of lading” that precludes
dismissal of the untimely Irving Oil claim.
Under the uniform straight bill of lading, Irving Oil had
nine months after “a reasonable time for delivery has
elapsed” to submit its claim to Canadian Pacific, but it did
not submit any claim until April 16, 2015. Given that the
accident occurred on July 6, 2013, this was well more than
nine months after a reasonable time for delivery had
elapsed. See Imperial News Co. v. P-I-E Nationwide, Inc.,
905 F.2d 641, 644 (2d Cir. 1990) (finding 124 days “more
than a reasonable time” for delivery). Whatley tries to
excuse Irving Oil’s failure to submit a timely claim by
arguing that it waited until it could calculate damages with
reasonable precision in light of the ongoing bankruptcy
proceedings. See Pathway Bellows, Inc. v. Blanchette, 630
F.2d 900, 905 n.10 (2d Cir. 1980). But Whatley did not make
this argument below. Gap, Inc. v. GK Dev., Inc., 843 F.3d
744, 748 (8th Cir. 2016) (“Ordinarily, this court will not
consider an argument raised for the first time on appeal.”
(internal quotation marks omitted)). And in any event, a
party cannot wait until its total financial burden is clear to
bring a claim if it reasonably knows the value of the
damaged cargo. See 5K Logistics, Inc. v. Daily Express,
Inc., 659 F.3d 331, 336 (4th Cir. 2011). Moreover, Irving Oil
could at least have filed a partial claim. See Am. Rock Salt
Co. v. Norfolk S. Corp., 387 F. Supp. 2d 197, 205 (W.D.N.Y.
2005). Indeed, the fact that WFE filed its claim within a
year of the accident undermines Whatley’s argument that
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Irving Oil was unable to file a claim until almost two years
had lapsed.6 See id.
I join the court’s opinion and judgment on the more
difficult question of the timeliness of the WFE claim. And
though Canadian Pacific has made several other arguments
that might justify dismissal of that claim, I agree that we
should allow the district court to consider them in the first
instance.
______________________________
6
For these reasons, the Irving Oil claim would be untimely even if the
limitations periods are tolled pursuant to Whatley’s interpretation of
the bankruptcy plan. Under that plan, statutes of limitations must be
tolled from the Execution Date—here March 2, 2015—to the Plan
Implementation Date. By the time the tolling period began, however,
Irving Oil’s claim was already untimely.
18a
APPENDIX B
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF NORTH DAKOTA
WESTERN DIVISION
1:16-CV-00074-BRW-CSM
[Filed March 24, 2017]
___________________________________
JOE R. WHATLEY, JR., solely in his
)
capacity as Trustee of the WD Trust
)
PLAINTIFF
)
)
VS.
)
)
CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY
)
LIMITED, et al.
)
DEFENDANTS
)
___________________________________ )
ORDER
Pending are Defendants’ Motions for Judgment on the
Pleadings (Doc. Nos. 40, 54), Defendants’ Motion to Stay
Discovery (Doc. No. 63), and Plaintiff’s Motion for Hearing
(Doc. No. 72). Responses and replies have been filed.1 As
set out below, Defendants’ Motion for Judgment on the
Pleadings (Doc. No. 54) is GRANTED – all other Motions
(Doc. Nos. 40, 63, 72) are MOOT.
1
Doc. Nos. 45, 46, 48, 50, 51, 69, 70, 76, 83, 84, 77, 82, 85.
19a
I. BACKGROUND2
On June 29, 2013, Train 282 and its 723 tanker cars
laden with crude oil left New Town, North Dakota destined
for an oil refinery near Saint John, New Brunswick
(Canada). Just before midnight on July 5, Train 282’s
engineer (and lone occupant) parked Train 282 on the main
tracks and left it unattended. Shortly after midnight, Train
282 – still unattended – began rolling downhill toward LacMégantic, Quebec. As the runaway train entered LacMégantic, 63 of its tanker cars derailed, spilling their crude
oil and causing a series of massive explosions. The
derailment and subsequent explosions killed 47 people and
destroyed nearly the entire town of Lac-Mégantic – neither
the tanker cars nor their cargo made it to their destination.4
The bill of lading for Train 282’s cargo designated
Western Petroleum Company (“Western Petroleum”) as
the shipper, Irving Oil Company (“Irving Oil”) as the
consignee, and Canadian Pacific Railway Limited
(Canadian Pacific”) as the carrier.5 Canadian Pacific is the
parent company of the other Defendants.
Soo Line Railroad Company transported Train 282
from New Town, North Dakota to just over the Canadian
2
Unless otherwise noted, the facts in the Background section are taken
from Plaintiff’s Complaint, and are not in dispute.
3
It appears that Train 282 may have left New Town with 78 tanker
cars, but 6 of them were “bad-ordered en route.” Doc. No. 1-10.
4
There appears to be a dispute as to whether any of the crude oil
actually made it to the refinery. See Defendants’ Answers (Doc. Nos.
24-27).
5
Doc. No. 1-10.
20a
border.6 From there, Canadian Pacific took Train 282 to its
rail yard just outside of Montreal, Quebec, where it turned
Train 282 over to Maine & Atlantic Railway Canada
(“MM&A Canada”). Although no one was operating Train
282 when it derailed, MM&A Canada was the last railway
company to operate it before it derailed.
About a month after the derailment, MM&A Canada
and its United States parent company, Montreal Maine &
Atlantic Railroad (“MM&A”), filed for bankruptcy
protection.7 Plaintiff is the trustee of the wrongful-deathclaimants’ trust created by MM&A’s bankruptcy estate.8
The bankruptcy trustee assigned Plaintiff the rights of the
shipper and consignee to bring claims under the Carmack
Amendment.9
Defendants Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings,
which alternatively seeks summary judgment takes a
shotgun approach: Plaintiff lacks standing, the claim is
untimely, the relief sought is not available, etc.10 Plaintiff
asserts that Defendants’ Motion is without merit, that
“Defendants are barred and estopped from raising the
arguments made in the Motion,” and that Defendants
6
Id.
7
Additionally, at least 39 individual lawsuits sprang up in the United
States – all were consolidated in the District of Maine. See, In re: LacMégantic Train Derailment Litigation, No. 1:16-CV-01001-JDL, Doc.
No. 29 (D. Me. Sept. 28, 2016).
8
Doc. Nos. 1, 41.
9
49 U.S.C. § 11706.
10
Doc. Nos. 55, 83.
21a
improperly rely on matters outside the pleadings or on
inadmissable evidence.11 Because Plaintiff’s claim is
untimely, I do not address Defendants’ other arguments for
dismissal, or Plaintiff’s responses to those arguments.
II. STANDARD
A motion for judgment on the pleadings “should only be
granted if the moving party has clearly demonstrated that
no material issue of fact remains and the moving party is
entitled to judgment as a matter of law.”12 A motion for
judgment on the pleadings is evaluated under the same
standard as a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim.13
The facts set out in the complaint are taken as true and all
reasonable inferences are drawn in Plaintiff’s favor.14
Judgment on the pleadings is only appropriate if “it
appears beyond doubt that plaintiff can prove no set of
facts to warrant a grant of relief.”15 In determining whether
judgment on the pleadings is appropriate, courts look only
to the complaint, exhibits attached to the complaint, and
materials necessarily embraced by the pleadings.16
11
Doc. No. 69.
12
Elnashar v. U.S. Dep’t of Justice, 446 F.3d 792, 794 (8th Cir. 2006).
13
Westcott v. Omaha, 901 F.2d 1486, 1488 (8th Cir. 1990).
14
McAuley v. Fed. Ins. Co., 500 F.3d 784, 787 (8th Cir. 2007) (citing
Botz v. Omni Air Int’l, 286 F.3d 488, 490 (8th Cir. 2002)).
15
Knieriem v. Grp. Health Plan, Inc., 434 F.3d 1058, 1060 (8th Cir.
2006).
16
Davis v. Hall, 992 F.2d 151, 152 (8th Cir. 1993) (citing Nickens v.
White, 536 F.2d 802, 803 (8th Cir. 1976)).
22a
“Documents necessarily embraced by the pleadings include
documents whose contents are alleged in a complaint and
whose authenticity no party questions, but which are not
physically attached to the pleading.”17 If a court considers
matters outside of these sources, it may nonetheless
convert the motion to one for summary judgment under
Rule 56.18
Summary judgment is appropriate only when there is
no genuine issue of material fact, so that the dispute may be
decided on purely legal grounds.19 The Supreme Court has
established guidelines to assist trial courts in determining
whether this standard has been met:
The inquiry performed is the threshold inquiry of
determining whether there is the need for a trial -whether, in other words, there are any genuine
factual issues that properly can be resolved only by
a finder of fact because they may reasonably be
resolved in favor of either party.20
The Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit has
cautioned that summary judgment is an extreme remedy
that should be granted only when the movant has
17
Ashanti v. City of Golden Valley, 666 F.3d 1148, 1151 (8th Cir. 2012)
(internal quotations and citations omitted).
18
Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(d), 56; Mattes v. ABC Plastics, Inc., 323 F.3d 695,
697 n.4 (8th Cir. 2003).
19
Holloway v. Lockhart, 813 F.2d 874 (8th Cir. 1987); Fed. R. Civ. P. 56.
20
Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 250 (1986).
23a
established a right to the judgment beyond controversy.21
Nevertheless, summary judgment promotes judicial
economy by preventing trial when no genuine issue of fact
remains.22 A court must view the facts in the light most
favorable to the party opposing the motion.23 The Eighth
Circuit has also set out the burden of the parties in
connection with a summary judgment motion:
[T]he burden on the party moving for summary
judgment is only to demonstrate, i.e.,”[to point] out
to the District Court,” that the record does not
disclose a genuine dispute on a material fact. It is
enough for the movant to bring up the fact that the
record does not contain such an issue and to identify
that part of the record which bears out his assertion.
Once this is done, his burden is discharged, and, if
the record in fact bears out the claim that no
genuine dispute exists on any material fact, it is then
the respondent’s burden to set forth affirmative
evidence, specific facts, showing that there is a
genuine dispute on that issue. If the respondent fails
to carry that burden, summary judgment should be
granted.24
21
Inland Oil & Transport Co. v. United States, 600 F.2d 725, 727 (8th
Cir. 1979).
22
Id. at 728.
23
Id. at 727-28.
24
Counts v. MK-Ferguson Co., 862 F.2d 1338, 1339 (8th Cir. 1988)
(quoting City of Mt. Pleasant v. Associated Elec. Coop., 838 F.2d 268,
273-74 (8th Cir. 1988) (citations omitted)).
24a
Only disputes over facts that may affect the outcome of
the suit under governing law will properly preclude the
entry of summary judgment.25
III. DISCUSSION
Although Plaintiff’s Carmack claim is the lone claim set
out in the Complaint, it is essentially two claims – one for
the shipper, and one for the consignee. Accordingly, I will
address the claim as if it were two independent claims – the
shipper’s claim, and the consignee’s claim.
Defendants assert that both claims are untimely, but for
different reasons. First, the shipper’s claim is untimely
because the shipper did not file suit within two years and a
day of receiving Defendants’ claim-denial letter. Second,
the consignee’s claim is untimely because the consignee did
not give notice of its claim “within nine months after a
reasonable time for delivery has elapsed.”26 Plaintiff asserts
“Defendants are barred and estopped from raising the
arguments made in the Motion.”27
A. Res Judicata or Issue Preclusion
The “arguments made in the Motion,” relevant here, are
that the shipper’s claim and the consignee’s claims are
untimely, and the consignee lacks standing to bring a claim
on the bill of lading. The gist of Plaintiff’s argument is that
because Defendants did not object when the bankruptcy
court was considering whether to assign the Carmack
25
Anderson, 477 U.S. at 248.
26
Doc. No. 55.
27
Doc. No. 71-2.
25a
claims to Plaintiff, Defendants are now barred from
defending the merits of those claims.
First, concerning the “arguments raised in the Motion,”
Plaintiff overestimates the strength of res judicata and
collateral estoppel – and the helpfulness of the cases cited.
Although Plaintiff cites several cases on this issue, none are
on point.
Plaintiff asserts that GOE Lima28 is “particularly
instructive.”29 There, a mechanical contractor and an
ethanol producer had a contract that included an
arbitration clause. The ethanol producer filed for
bankruptcy relief. The mechanical contractor filed a
breach-of-contract claim, and the ethanol producer filed a
counterclaim. The ethanol producer asked the bankruptcy
court to stay the adversarial proceeding so the parties
could arbitrate their disputes. Over the mechanical
contractor’s objection, the bankruptcy court stayed the
case pending arbitration.
Next, the ethanol producer’s rights to its counterclaim
were assigned to another entity (the “assignee”) through a
court-approved settlement agreement and a confirmed plan
of liquidation. The mechanical contractor did not object to
the assignment and even initiated arbitration proceedings
after the assignment was complete. Then, in an about face,
the mechanical contractor sought to have the stay lifted,
and argued the assignment was invalid and the arbitration
clause could not be enforced by the assignee. The court
held that the mechanical contractor was precluded from
28
In re GOE Lima, LLC, No. 08-35508, 2012 WL 930250, at *1 (Bankr.
N.D. Ohio Mar. 19, 2012).
29
Doc. No. 71.
26a
attacking the assignment’s validity because it “could have
and should have raised the issue of the validity of the
assignment . . . by objecting to the court’s approval of the
[s]ettlement [a]greement and to confirmation of the
[p]lan.”30 The court also would not hear the mechanical
contractor’s arguments against enforcing the arbitration
clause because the court had already decided that issue.
In GOE Lima, the mechanical contractor attacked the
assignment of a claim. Here, Defendants are attacking the
merits of the claim assigned. Accordingly, GOE Lima is not
helpful. Moreover, MM&A’s underlying bankruptcy case
did not address the merits of the Carmack claims – nor
would it have made sense for it to do so. Because
Defendants had neither the obligation nor opportunity to
defend the merits of the assigned Carmack claims, they are
not barred from doing so now.
B. The Carmack Amendment
A claim under the Carmack Amendment is the exclusive
remedy to recover under a bill of lading.31 Accordingly,
Plaintiff’s claim is governed by the Carmack Amendment.
Plaintiff asserts that Carmack claims have no time
limitations, and the bill of lading contained no express
notice of a limitations period.32 Both arguments fail.
30
In re GOE Lima, LLC, No. 08-35508, 2012 WL 930250, at *5 (Bankr.
N.D. Ohio Mar. 19, 2012)
31
S.E. Express Co. v. Pastime Amuse. Co., 299 U.S. 28, 29 (1936);
Fulton v. Chicago, Rock Island & P. R. Co., 481 F.2d 326, 332 (8th Cir.
1973).
32
Doc. No. 69.
27a
Federal regulation sets the time limits for recovery on
a bill of lading – regardless of whether expressly noticed on
the bill of lading.33 When a carrier fails to deliver cargo,
“claims must be filed in writing with the [carrier] within
nine months after a reasonable time for delivery has
elapsed.”34 A lawsuit must be filed within two years and a
day from the day the carrier gives written notice that it is
denying the claim (or any part of the claim).35 “Where
claims are not filed or suits are not [filed] in accordance
with the foregoing provisions, no carrier [will] be liable, and
such claims will not be paid.”36
C. The Shipper’s Carmack Claim
Since the cargo never made it to its destination, claims
on the bill of lading must have been made “within nine
months after a reasonable time for delivery has elapsed.”37
Plaintiff asserts that notice of the claim was given on April
4, 2014 (the “April Claim”) and denied on April 24, 2014
(the “April Denial”).38 Defendants assert that the claim was
first made on November 5, 2013 (the “November Claim”),
33
49 C.F.R. pt. 1035, app. B, § 2(b); 5K Logistics, Inc. v. Daily Exp.,
Inc., 659 F.3d 331, 338 (4th Cir. 2011) (time limitations are “expressly
contemplated by statute and standard in the industry”).
34
49 C.F.R. pt. 1035, app. B, § 2(b).
35
Id.
36
Id.
37
49 C.F.R. pt. 1035, app. B, § 2(b).
38
Doc. No. 69.
28a
and denied on November 27, 2013 (the “November
Denial”).39
Plaintiff insists that the November Claim and
November Denial “are outside of the pleadings, not part of
the public record, and contradict the allegations set forth in
the Complaint, they may not be considered as part of the
Motion pursuant to Rule 12.”40 Recognizing that
Defendants’ Motion also seeks summary judgment,
Plaintiff also asserts that they “cannot be used to support
the Motion” because the documents are inadmissable
hearsay.41 “Finally,” Plaintiff asserts, “the documents fail,
on their face, to support the Defendants’ contention”
because the November Claim expressly states that it is “not
a claim under Carmack.”42
First, it appears the documents are embraced by the
pleadings. Defendants’ Answers assert that notice of a
claim was first given on November 5, 2013.43 No party
disputes the authenticity of the documents – in fact,
Plaintiff swears under oath that the documents are
authentic.44 Accordingly, even if the documents are outside
of the pleadings, there is no dispute over their authenticity,
so they raise no genuine dispute as to a material fact.
39
Doc. No. 55.
40
Doc. No. 69.
41
Id.
42
Doc. No. 69 (emphasis in original).
43
Doc. Nos. 24-27.
44
Doc. No. 71.
29a
The November Claim is titled “Notice of Loss, Damage
or Delay.”45 The first paragraph of the November Claim
states that the shipper is making a claim against
Defendants “for all losses sustained as a consequence of the
derailment of [Train 282] . . . including but certainly not
limited to the loss, damage or delay of the shipper’s goods
on Train 282, and of all affected railcars.” Under the
heading, “Proviso and reservation of rights” the November
Claim reads:
This Notice of Loss, Damage or Delay is
submitted at this time by the Notifying Parties,
without prejudice to any of its or their rights to
bring any or all of their claims in any venue or
jurisdiction available to them, and without prejudice
to any of its or their rights to plead and rely upon
the laws of the United States of America or of
Canada as are or may be applicable. Without
limiting any of the foregoing or any rights of the
Notifying Parties this Notice of Loss Damage or
Delay is submitted at this time and shall be if and as
may be required considered as a sufficient and
comprehensive Notice to at all times satisfy any
requirement of notice under the Railway Traffic
Liability Regulations [Canada] SOR/91-488,
providing for service of a notice of loss of goods, or
delay, or damage to goods, in printed or electronic
form, which is to be received by the originating
carrier or delivering carrier within four months
after a reasonable period for delivery of the goods
has expired, in the case of loss, or within four
months after delivery of the goods, where damage
45
Doc. No. 71-13.
30a
or delay is claimed. This Notice shall be without any
waiver or limitation whatsoever of the rights of the
Notifying Parties under the laws of the United
States of America, including the Carmack
Amendment (49 U.S.C. § 11706), which provides a
period of not less than 9 months for filing a notice of
claim against a rail carrier and the rules of the
Surface Transportation Board (49 C.F.R. Part
1005), entitled “Principles and Practices for the
Investigation and Voluntary Disposition of Loss
and Damage Claims and Processing Salvage.” The
Notifying Parties will submit a separate notice of
claim in accordance with the aforementioned
provisions of U.S. law at the appropriate time.46
Plaintiff asserts that the November Claim did not meet
the notice requirements under the Carmack Amendment.47
Although notice is a condition precedent to recovery on a
Carmack claim, notice is to be construed in a “practical
way.”48 “The crux of the notice is whether it apprises the
carrier of the basis for the claim and that reimbursement
will be sought.”49 “Any written document which identifies
the damaged shipment and indicates an intention to hold
46
Id. (emphasis in original).
47
Doc. No. 69.
48
Georgia, F. & A. Ry. Co. v. Blish Milling Co., 241 U.S. 190, 198
(1916).
49
S & H Hardware & Supply Co. v. Yellow Transp., Inc., 432 F.3d 550,
554 (3d Cir. 2005).
31a
the carrier responsible is sufficient.”50 Notice that is
sufficient in all other respects, but which cites to laws under
which recovery is preempted or unavailable (for example,
state law,51 common law,52 or Canadian law53) is sufficient
notice. Where a derailment destroys cargo, even actual
notice has been held sufficient, since “formal notice could
not have accomplished anything more.”54
It is undisputed that the November Claim was in
writing, was delivered within nine months, identified the
shipment, and notified the carrier that the shipper was
asserting a claim. Specifically, the shipper informed
50
Conagra, Inc. v. Burlington N., Inc., 438 F. Supp. 1266, 1268 (D. Neb.
1977); Union P. R. Co. v. Beemac Trucking, LLC, 929 F. Supp. 2d 904,
920 (D. Neb. 2013).
51
See, e.g., Zarnoski-McCathern v. Eagle Van Lines, No. 2:04-CV0155-J, 2005 WL 292439, at *3 (N.D. Tex. Feb. 8, 2005) (general denial
of state-law claims was sufficient denial of Carmack claims); Gulf Rice
Arkansas, LLC v. Union Pacific Railroad Co., 376 F.Supp.2d 715, 719
(S.D. Tex. 2005) (recharacterizing state-law claim for common-carrier
liability as a Carmack claim).
52
Adams Express Co. v. Croninger, 226 U.S. 491, 507 (1913).
53
The Carmack Amendment expressly applies to all shipments from the
United States to adjacent foreign countries, such as Canada,
transported on a through bill of lading. See, e.g., Gordon Hearn and
Jeffrey R. Simmons, Conflict of Laws Considerations, Shipping
Between the United States and Canada, 56 No. 12 DRI For Def. 66
(Dec. 2014).
54
Hopper Paper Co. v. Baltimore & O. R. Co., 178 F.2d 179, 182 (7th
Cir. 1949) (“Obviously, the same rule would uniformly apply under
similar facts to all other shippers and carriers.”); but see, Perini-N.
River Associates v. Chesapeake & O. Ry. Co., 562 F.2d 269, 271 (3d Cir.
1977).
32a
Defendants of a claim for “all losses sustained as a
consequence of the derailment of [Train 282] . . . including
but certainly not limited to the loss, damage or delay of the
shipper’s goods on Train 282, and of all affected railcars.”55
Accordingly, the November Claim satisfies the Carmack
Amendment’s notice requirement.
The ticking of the Carmack Amendment’s two-yearand-a-day clock began when the shipper received
Defendants’ denial of any part of the claim.56 “A
disallowance or denial is clear, final and unequivocal when
the only conclusion that can be rationally apprehended is
that the defendant refuses to allow any further
advancement of some part of the plaintiff’s claim.”57
At a minimum, the November Denial unequivocally
refused Plaintiff’s claim that exceeded the value of the
laden crude oil (for example, railcar damage, indemnity
against third-party tort or environmental claims, and
“liability for indirect and consequential damage, as well as
punitive and special damages”).58 The November Denial
also denied Defendants were responsible for Train 282
while it was in MM&A’s control because the shipper chose
MM&A Canada over a more expensive alternative.59
55
Doc. No. 71-13.
56
Zarnoski-McCathern, No. 2:04-CV-0155-J, 2005 WL 292439, at *3
(N.D. Tex. Feb. 8, 2005).
57
Id.
58
Doc. No. 71-14.
59
Id.
33a
Defendants denied lading liability altogether because the
shipper misrepresented the classification of the crude oil.60
In fine, Defendants’ November Denial made it clear
that Defendants denied all liability–including liability under
the Carmack Amendment. Accordingly, the shipper’s twoyear-and-a-day limitation period started to run on
November 27, 2013.
Plaintiff asserts that, even if Carmack claims have a
limitation period, and it began to run on November 27,
2013, the Complaint was timely because the limitation
period was tolled from June 8, 2015, through December 22,
2015.61 Plaintiff is mistaken as to when it began.
According to MM&A’s Liquidation Plan, which tolled
the limitations period, the tolling period began on “the
Execution Date” as defined in the shipper’s settlement
agreement with MM&A.62 The settlement agreement
defined the “Execution Date” as “the first day upon which
all Parties have executed this Amendment.”63 It is
undisputed that date was November 23, 2015.64
Accordingly, the tolling period began on November 23,
2015 – leaving the shipper four days from the day the
tolling period ended to timely file suit.
60
Doc. No. 71-14 (“That fraud obviates any [Defendants’] lading liability
to [the shipper].”).
61
Doc. No. 69.
62
Doc. Nos. 1-7, 1-8.
63
Doc. No. 1-6.
64
Id., pp. 44-46 of 49.
34a
It is undisputed that the tolling period ended on
December 22, 2015.65 Plaintiff’s Complaint was filed on
April 12, 2016 – about four months too late. Accordingly,
the Carmack claim on behalf of the shipper is untimely.
D. The Consignee’s Carmack Claim
1. Standing
Plaintiff overestimates Defendants’ standing argument.
Defendants do not claim that Plaintiff does not stand in the
shoes of the consignee. Instead, Defendants assert that
because the consignee was neither the shipper nor recipient
of the cargo (since the crude oil never made it), the
consignee – and therefore Plaintiff – lacks standing to bring
a claim on the bill of lading.66 Although none of the citations
provided by the parties are a world of clarity on this point,
there appears to be some authority allowing a consignee to
bring a Carmack claim against a carrier.
In Kansas City Southern Railway Company v. MixonMcClintock Co., a shipment of mules was sent from Kansas
City, Missouri, to Mariana, Arkansas.67 When the mules
arrived, many of them were “greatly injured and bruised,
[or died] soon after . . . on account of the injuries
received.”68 The consignee sued the carrier on the bill of
65
Doc. No. 1-6 (tolling period ended on the “Effective Date” of the
Plan); Doc. No. 1-7 (“Whereas, on December 22, 2015, the Effective
Date of the Plan occurred”).
66
Doc. No. 55.
67
Kansas City S. R. Co. v. Mixon-McClintock Co., 107 Ark. 48 (1913).
68
Id.
35a
lading.69 The court held, that the carrier “would not be
heard to complain that the consignee to whom it expressly
agreed to deliver the stock was without authority to bring
suit for the damage thereto.”70 Accordingly, Plaintiff has
standing to sue on behalf of the consignee.
2. Timeliness
The consignee was required to give notice “within nine
months after a reasonable time for delivery has elapsed.”71
It is undisputed that neither the November Claim nor the
April Claim were submitted on behalf of the consignee.72
Plaintiff does not allege that the consignee provided timely
notice. Instead, Plaintiff, who previously asserted standing
as a party to the bill of lading, asserts that because the
consignee was “not a negotiating or executing party” to the
bill of lading, no notice was required.73 “It is settled law that
the notice requirement applies to all claims against carriers
for losses.”74
The consignee sent Defendants a letter dated April 16,
2015 – nearly two years after the derailment – stating that
the consignee had a “potential claim [against Defendants]
69
Id.
70
Id.
71
49 C.F.R. pt. 1035, app. B, § 2(b).
72
Doc. Nos. 71-13, 71-15.
73
Doc. No. 69. I note the irony of Plaintiff accusing Defendants of
“arguing out of both sides of their mouth on this issue.”
74
S & H Hardware & Supply Co. v. Yellow Transp., Inc., 432 F.3d 550,
556 (3d Cir. 2005); see also, 49 C.F.R. pt. 1035, app. B, § 2(b).
36a
for certain losses, damages, and/or liabilities, [related to
Train 282’s derailment].”75 The letter specifically
contemplated a potential claim under the Carmack
Amendment.76
Because the consignee did not give Defendants written
notice of its claim until April 16, 2015 – more than 21
months after the derailment – Plaintiff’s claim brought on
behalf of the consignee is untimely.
CONCLUSION
Based on the findings of fact and conclusions of law set
out above, Defendants Motion (Doc. No. 54) is GRANTED
– all other pending motions are MOOT.
IT IS SO ORDERED this 24th day of March, 2017.
/s/ Billy Roy Wilson
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
75
Doc. No. 1-12.
76
Id.
37a
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF NORTH DAKOTA
WESTERN DIVISION
1:16-CV-00074-BRW-CSM
[Filed March 24, 2017]
___________________________________
JOE R. WHATLEY, JR., solely in his
)
capacity as Trustee of the WD Trust
)
PLAINTIFF
)
)
VS.
)
)
CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY
)
LIMITED, et al.
)
DEFENDANTS
)
___________________________________ )
JUDGMENT
Consistent with the order entered today, judgment is
entered in favor of Defendants. Accordingly, this case is
DISMISSED with prejudice.
IT IS SO ORDERED this 24th day of March, 2017.
/s/ Billy Roy Wilson
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
38a
APPENDIX C
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE EIGHTH CIRCUIT
No. 17-1677
[Filed November 15, 2018]
________________________________
Joe R. Whatley, Jr., solely in his
)
capacity as the WD Trustee
)
of the WD Trust
)
)
Appellant
)
)
v.
)
)
Canadian Pacific Railway
)
Limited, et al.
)
)
Appellees
)
________________________________ )
__________________________________________________
Appeal from U.S. District Court for the District of North
Dakota - Bismarck
(1:16-cv-00074-BRW)
__________________________________________________
ORDER
The petition for rehearing en banc is denied. The
petition for rehearing by the panel is also denied.
Judge Erickson did not participate in the consideration
or decision of this matter.
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November 15, 2018
Order Entered at the Direction of the Court:
Clerk, U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit.
____________________________________
/s/ Michael E. Gans
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APPENDIX D
49 C.F.R. § 1005.2 Filing of claims.
(a) Compliance with regulations. A claim for loss or damage
to baggage or for loss, damage, injury, or delay to cargo,
shall not be voluntarily paid by a carrier unless filed, as
provided in paragraph (b) of this section, with the receiving
or delivering carrier, or carrier issuing the bill of lading,
receipt, ticket, or baggage check, or carrier on whose line
the alleged loss, damage, injury, or delay occurred, within
the specified time limits applicable thereto and as otherwise
may be required by law, the terms of the bill of lading or
other contract of carriage, and all tariff provisions
applicable thereto.
(b) Minimum filing requirements. A written or electronic
communication (when agreed to by the carrier and shipper
or receiver involved) from a claimant, filed with a proper
carrier within the time limits specified in the bill of lading
or contract of carriage or transportation and: (1)
Containing facts sufficient to identify the baggage or
shipment (or shipments) of property, (2) asserting liability
for alleged loss, damage, injury, or delay, and (3) making
claim for the payment of a specified or determinable
amount of money, shall be considered as sufficient
compliance with the provisions for filing claims embraced
in the bill of lading or other contract of carriage; Provided,
however, That where claims are electronically handled,
procedures are established to ensure reasonable carrier
access to supporting documents.
(c) Documents not constituting claims. Bad order reports,
appraisal reports of damage, notations of shortage or
41a
damage, or both, on freight bills, delivery receipts, or other
documents, or inspection reports issued by carriers or their
inspection agencies, whether the extent of loss or damage
is indicated in dollars and cents or otherwise, shall,
standing alone, not be considered by carriers as sufficient
to comply with the minimum claim filing requirements
specified in paragraph (b) of this section.
(d) Claims filed for uncertain amounts. Whenever a claim
is presented against a proper carrier for an uncertain
amount, such as “$100 more or less,” the carrier against
whom such claim is filed shall determine the condition of
the baggage or shipment involved at the time of delivery by
it, if it was delivered, and shall ascertain as nearly as
possible the extent, if any, of the loss or damage for which
it may be responsible. It shall not, however, voluntarily pay
a claim under such circumstances unless and until a formal
claim in writing for a specified or determinable amount of
money shall have been filed in accordance with the
provisions of paragraph (b) of this section.
(e) Other claims. If investigation of a claim develops that
one or more other carriers has been presented with a
similar claim on the same shipment, the carrier
investigating such claim shall communicate with each such
other carrier and, prior to any agreement entered into
between or among them as to the proper disposition of such
claim or claims, shall notify all claimants of the receipt of
conflicting or overlapping claims and shall require further
substantiation, on the part of each claimant of his title to
the property involved or his right with respect to such
claim.
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49 C.F.R. § 1035.1 Requirement for certain forms of bills
of lading.
(a) All common carriers, except express companies,
engaged in the transportation of property other than
livestock and wild animals, by rail or by water subject to
the Interstate Commerce Act are required to use straight
bills of lading as prescribed in Appendix A and B to this
part, or order bills of lading as prescribed in Appendix A
and B to this Part, except that order bills of lading shall:
(1) Be entitled “Uniform Order Bill of Lading” and be
designated as “Negotiable” on the front (appendix A to
this part);
(2) Indicate consignment “to the order of * * * “ on the
front (appendix A to this part); and
(3) Provide for endorsement on the back portion
(appendix B to this part).
(b) All such bills of lading:
(1) May be either documented on paper or issued
electronically;
(2) May be a copy, reprographic or otherwise, of a
printed bill of lading, free from erasure and
interlineation;
(3) May vary in the arrangement and spacing of the
printed matter on the face of the form.
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49 C.F.R. Pt. 1035, App. B
APPENDIX B TO PART 1035—CONTRACT TERMS
AND CONDITIONS
Contract Terms and Conditions
Sec. 1. (a) The carrier or party in possession of any of the
property herein described shall be liable as at common law
for any loss thereof or damage thereto, except as
hereinafter provided.
(b) No carrier or party in possession of all or any of the
property herein described shall be liable for any loss
thereof or damage thereto or delay caused by the act of
God, the public enemy, the authority of law, or the act or
default of the shipper or owner, or for natural shrinkage.
The carrier’s liability shall be that of warehouseman, only,
for loss, damage, or delay caused by fire occurring after the
expiration of the free time allowed by tariffs lawfully on file
(such free time to be computed as therein provided) after
notice of the arrival of the property at destination or at the
port of export (if intended for export) has been duly sent or
given, and after placement of the property for delivery at
destination, or tender of delivery of the property to the
party entitled to receive it, has been made. Except in case
of negligence of the carrier or party in possession (and the
burden to prove freedom from such negligence shall be on
the carrier or party in possession), the carrier or party in
possession shall not be liable for loss, damage, or delay
occurring while the property is stopped and held in transit
upon the request of the shipper, owner, or party entitled to
make such request, or resulting from a defect or vice in the
property, or for country damage to cotton, or from riots or
strikes.
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(c) In case of quarantine the property may be discharged at
risk and expense of owners into quarantine depot or
elsewhere, as required by quarantine regulations or
authorities, or for the carrier’s dispatch at nearest available
point in carrier’s judgment, and in any such case carrier’s
responsibility shall cease when property is so discharged,
or property may be returned by carrier at owner’s expense
to shipping point, earning freight both ways. Quarantine
expenses of whatever nature or kind upon or in respect to
property shall be borne by the owners of the property or be
a lien thereon. The carrier shall not be liable for loss or
damage occasioned by fumigation or disinfection or other
acts required or done by quarantine regulations or
authorities even though the same may have been done by
carrier’s officers, agents, or employees, nor for detention,
loss, or damage of any kind occasioned by quarantine or the
enforcement thereof. No carrier shall be liable, except in
case of negligence, for any mistake or inaccuracy in any
information furnished by the carrier, its agents, or officers,
as to quarantine laws or regulations. The shipper shall hold
the carriers harmless from any expense they may incur, or
damages they may be required to pay, by reason of the
introduction of the property covered by this contract into
any place against the quarantine laws or regulations in
effect at such place.
Sec. 2. (a) No carrier is bound to transport said property by
any particular train or vessel, or in time for any particular
market or otherwise than with reasonable dispatch. Every
carrier shall have the right in case of physical necessity to
forward said property by any carrier or route between the
point of shipment and the point of destination. In all cases
not prohibited by law, where a lower value than actual
value has been represented in writing by the shipper or has
been agreed upon in writing as the released value of the
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property as determined by the classification or tariffs upon
which the rate is based, such lower value plus freight
charges if paid shall be the maximum amount to be
recovered, whether or not such loss or damage occurs from
negligence.
(b) As a condition precedent to recovery, claims must be
filed in writing with the receiving or delivering carrier, or
carrier issuing this bill of lading, or carrier on whose line
the loss, damage, injury or delay occurred, within nine
months after delivery of the property (or, in case of export
traffic, within nine months after delivery at port of export)
or, in case of failure to make delivery, then within nine
months after a reasonable time for delivery has elapsed;
and suits shall be instituted against any carrier only within
two years and one day from the day when notice in writing
is given by the carrier to the claimant that the carrier has
disallowed the claim or any part or parts thereof specified
in the notice. Where claims are not filed or suits are not
instituted thereon in accordance with the foregoing
provisions, no carrier hereunder shall be liable, and such
claims will not be paid.
(c) Any carrier or party liable on account of loss of or
damage to any of said property shall have the full benefit of
any insurance that may have been effected upon or on
account of said property, so far as this shall not avoid the
policies or contracts of insurance: Provided, That the
carrier reimburse the claimant for the premium paid
thereon.
Sec. 3. Except where such service is required as the result
of carrier’s negligence, all property shall be subject to
necessary cooperage and baling at owner’s cost. Each
carrier over whose route cotton or cotton linters is to be
transported hereunder shall have the privilege, at its own
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cost and risk, of compressing the same for greater
convenience in handling or forwarding, and shall not be
held responsible for deviation or unavoidable delays in
procuring such compression. Grain in bulk consigned to a
point where there is a railroad, public or licensed elevator,
may (unless otherwise expressly noted herein, and then if
it is not promptly unloaded) be there delivered and placed
with other grain of the same kind and grade without
respect to ownership (and prompt notice thereof shall be
given to the consignor), and if so delivered shall be subject
to a lien for elevator charges in addition to all other charges
hereunder.
Sec. 4. (a) Property not removed by the party entitled to
receive it within the free time allowed by tariffs, lawfully on
file (such free time to be computed as therein provided),
after notice of the arrival of the property at destination or
at the port of export (if intended for export) has been duly
sent or given, and after placement of the property for
delivery at destination has been made, may be kept in
vessel, car, depot, warehouse or place of delivery of the
carrier, subject to the tariff charge for storage and to
carrier’s responsibility as warehouseman, only, or at the
option of the carrier, may be removed to and stored in a
public or licensed warehouse at the place of delivery or
other available place, at the cost of the owner, and there
held without liability on the part of the carrier, and subject
to a lien for all freight and other lawful charges, including
a reasonable charge for storage.
(b) Where nonperishable property which has been
transported to destination hereunder is refused by
consignee or the party entitled to receive it, or said
consignee or party entitled to receive it fails to receive it
within 15 days after notice of arrival shall have been duly
47a
sent or given, the carrier may sell the same at public
auction to the highest bidder, at such place as may be
designated by the carrier: Provided, That the carrier shall
have first mailed, sent, or given to the consignor notice that
the property has been refused or remains unclaimed, as the
case may be, and that it will be subject to sale under the
terms of the bill of lading if disposition be not arranged for,
and shall have published notice containing a description of
the property, the name of the party to whom consigned, or,
if shipped order notify, the name of the party to be notified,
and the time and place of sale, once a week for two
successive weeks, in a newspaper of general circulation at
the place of sale or nearest place where such newspaper is
published: Provided, That 30 days shall have elapsed before
publication of notice of sale after said notice that the
property was refused or remains unclaimed was mailed,
sent, or given.
(c) Where perishable property which has been transported
hereunder to destination is refused by consignee or party
entitled to receive it, or said consignee or party entitled to
receive it shall fail to receive it promptly, the carrier, may,
in its discretion, to prevent deterioration or further
deterioration, sell the same to the best advantage at private
or public sale: Provided, That if time serves for notification
to the consignor or owner of the refusal of the property or
the failure to receive it, and request for disposition of the
property, such notification shall be given, in such manner
as the exercise of due diligence requires, before the
property is sold.
(d) Where the procedure provided for in the two
paragraphs last preceding is not possible, it is agreed that
nothing contained in said paragraphs shall be construed to
abridge the right of the carrier at its option to sell the
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property under such circumstances and in such manner as
may be authorized by law.
(e) The proceeds of any sale made under this section shall
be applied by the carrier to the payment of freight,
demurrage, storage, and any other lawful charges and the
expense of notice, advertisement, sale, and other necessary
expense and of caring for and maintaining the property, if
proper care of the same requires special expense, and
should there be a balance it shall be paid to the owner of
the property sold hereunder.
(f) Property destined to or taken from a station, wharf, or
landing at which there is no regularly appointed freight
agent shall be entirely at risk of owner after unloaded from
cars or vessels or until loaded into cars or vessels, and
except in case of carrier’s negligence, when received from
or delivered to such stations, wharves, or landings shall be
at owner’s risk until the cars are attached to and after they
are detached from locomotive or train or until loaded into
and after unloaded from vessels.
Sec. 5. No carrier hereunder will carry or be liable in any
way for any documents, specie, or for any articles of
extraordinary value not specifically rated in the published
classifications or tariffs unless a special agreement to do so
and a stipulated value of the articles are indorsed hereon.
Sec. 6. Every party, whether principal or agent, shipping
explosives or dangerous goods, without previous full
written disclosure to the carrier of their nature, shall be
liable for and indemnify the carrier against all loss or
damage caused by such goods, and such goods may be
warehoused at owner’s risk and expense or destroyed
without compensation.
49a
Sec. 7. The owner or consignee shall pay the freight and
average, if any, and all other lawful charges accruing on
said property; but, except in those instances where it may
lawfully be authorized to do so, no carrier by railroad shall
deliver or relinquish possession at destination of the
property covered by this bill of lading until all tariff rates
and charges thereon have been paid. The consignor shall be
liable for the freight and all other lawful charges, except
that if the consignor stipulates, by signature, in the space
provided for that purpose on the face of this bill of lading
that the carrier shall not make delivery without requiring
payment of such charges and the carrier, contrary to such
stipulation, shall make delivery without requiring such
payment, the consignor (except as hereinafter provided)
shall not be liable for such charges. Provided, that, where
the carrier has been instructed by the shipper or consignor
to deliver said property to a consignee other than the
shipper or consignor, such consignee shall not be legally
liable for transportation charges in respect of the
transportation of said property (beyond those billed against
him at the time of delivery for which he is otherwise liable)
which may be found to be due after the property has been
delivered to him, if the consignee (a) is an agent only and
has no beneficial title in said property, and (b) prior to
delivery of said property has notified the delivering carrier
in writing of the fact of such agency and absence of
beneficial title, and, in the case of a shipment reconsigned
or diverted to a point other than that specified in the
original bill of lading, has also notified the delivering
carrier in writing of the name and address of the beneficial
owner of said property; and, in such cases the shipper or
consignor, or, in the case of a shipment so reconsigned or
diverted, the beneficial owner, shall be liable for such
additional charges. If the consignee has given to the carrier
erroneous information as to who the beneficial owner is,
50a
such consignee shall himself be liable for such additional
charges. On shipments reconsigned or diverted by an agent
who has furnished the carrier in the reconsignment or
diversion order with a notice of agency and the proper
name and address of the beneficial owner, and where such
shipments are refused or abandoned at ultimate
destination, the said beneficial owner shall be liable for all
legally applicable charges in connection therewith. If the
reconsignor or diverter has given to the carrier erroneous
information as to who the beneficial owner is, such
reconsignor or diverter shall himself be liable for all such
charges.
If a shipper or consignor of a shipment of property (other
than a prepaid shipment) is also the consignee named in the
bill of lading and, prior to the time of delivery, notifies, in
writing, a delivering carrier by railroad (a) to deliver such
property at destination to another party, (b) that such
party is the beneficial owner of such property, and (c) that
delivery is to be made to such party only upon payment of
all transportation charges in respect of the transportation
of such property, and delivery is made by the carrier to
such party without such payment, such shipper or
consignor shall not be liable (as shipper, consignor,
consignee, or otherwise) for such transportation charges
but the party to whom delivery is so made shall in any
event be liable for transportation charges billed against the
property at the time of such delivery, and also for any
additional charges which may be found to be due after
delivery of the property, except that if such party prior to
such delivery has notified in writing the delivering carrier
that he is not the beneficial owner of the property, and has
given in writing to such delivering carrier the name and
address of such beneficial owner, such party shall not be
liable for any additional charges which may be found to be
51a
due after delivery of the property; but if the party to whom
delivery is made has given to the carrier erroneous
information as to the beneficial owner, such party shall
nevertheless be liable for such additional charges. If the
shipper or consignor has given to the delivering carrier
erroneous information as to who the beneficial owner is,
such shipper or consignor shall himself be liable for such
transportation charges, notwithstanding the foregoing
provisions of this paragraph and irrespective of any
provisions to the contrary in the bill of lading or in the
contract of transportation under which the shipment was
made. The term “delivering carrier” means the line-haul
carrier making ultimate delivery.
Nothing herein shall limit the right of the carrier to require
at time of shipment the prepayment or guarantee of the
charges. If upon inspection it is ascertained that the articles
shipped are not those described in this bill of lading, the
freight charges must be paid upon the articles actually
shipped.
Where delivery is made by a common carrier by water the
foregoing provisions of this section shall apply, except as
may be inconsistent with part III of the Interstate
Commerce Act.
Sec. 8. If this bill of lading is issued on the order of the
shipper, or his agent, in exchange or in substitution for
another bill of lading, the shipper’s signature to the prior
bill of lading as to the statement of value or otherwise, or
election of common law or bill of lading liability, in or in
connection with such prior bill of lading, shall be considered
a part of this bill of lading as fully as if the same were
written or made in or in connection with this bill of lading.
52a
Sec. 9. (a) If all or any part of said property is carried by
water over any part of said route, and loss, damage or
injury to said property occurs while the same is in the
custody of a carrier by water the liability of such carrier
shall be determined by the bill of lading of the carrier by
water (this bill of lading being such bill of lading if the
property is transported by such water carrier thereunder)
and by and under the laws and regulations applicable to
transportation by water. Such water carriage shall be
performed subject to all the terms and provisions of, and all
the exemptions from liability contained in the Act of
Congress of the United States, approved on February 13,
1893, and entitled “An act relating to the navigation of
vessels, etc.” and of other statutes of the United States
according carriers by water the protection of limited
liability as well as the following subdivisions of this section:
and to the conditions contained in this bill of lading not
inconsistent with this section, when this bill of lading
becomes the bill of lading of the carrier by water.
(b) No such carrier by water shall be liable for any loss or
damage resulting from any fire happening to or on board
the vessel, or from explosion, bursting of boilers or
breakage of shafts, unless caused by the design or neglect
of such carrier.
(c) If the owner shall have exercised due diligence in
making the vessel in all respects seaworthy and properly
manned, equipped and supplied, no such carrier shall be
liable for any loss or damage resulting from the perils of
the lakes, seas, or other waters, or from latent defects in
hull, machinery, or appurtenances whether existing prior
to, at the time of, or after sailing, or from collision,
stranding, or other accidents of navigation, or from
prolongation of the voyage. And, when for any reason it is
53a
necessary, any vessel carrying any or all of the property
herein described shall be at liberty to call at any port or
ports, in or out of the customary route, to tow and be towed,
to transfer, trans-ship, or lighter, to load and discharge
goods at any time, to assist vessels in distress, to deviate
for the purpose of saving life or property, and for docking
and repairs. Except in case of negligence such carrier shall
not be responsible for any loss or damage to property if it
be necessary or is usual to carry the same upon deck.
(d) General Average shall be payable according to the
York–Antwerp Rules of 1924, sections 1 to 15, inclusive,
and sections 17 to 22, inclusive, and as to matters not
covered thereby according to the laws and usages of the
Port of New York. If the owners shall have exercised due
diligence to make the vessel in all respects seaworthy and
properly manned, equipped and supplied, it is hereby
agreed that in case of danger, damage or disaster resulting
from faults or errors in navigation, or in the management
of the vessel, or from any latent or other defects in the
vessel, her machinery or appurtenance, or from
unseaworthiness, whether existing at the time of shipment
or at the beginning of the voyage (provided the latent or
other defects or the unseaworthiness was not discoverable
by the exercise of due diligence), the shippers, consignees
and/or owners of the cargo shall nevertheless pay salvage
and any special charges incurred in respect of the cargo,
and shall contribute with the shipowner in general average
to the payment of any sacrifices, losses or expenses of a
general average nature that may be made or incurred for
the common benefit or to relieve the adventure from any
common peril.
(e) If the property is being carried under a tariff which
provides that any carrier or carriers party thereto shall be
54a
liable for loss from perils of the sea, then as to such carrier
or carriers the provisions of this section shall be modified
in accordance with the tariff provisions, which shall be
regarded as incorporated into the conditions of this bill of
lading.
(f) The term “water carriage” in this section shall not be
construed as including lighterage in or across rivers,
harbors, or lakes, when performed by or on behalf of rail
carriers.
Sec. 10. Any alteration, addition, or erasure in this bill of
lading which shall be made without the special notation
hereon of the agent of the carrier issuing this bill of lading,
shall be without effect, and this bill of lading shall be
enforceable according to its original tenor.
49 U.S.C. § 11706. Liability of rail carriers under receipts
and bills of lading
(a) A rail carrier providing transportation or service
subject to the jurisdiction of the Board under this part shall
issue a receipt or bill of lading for property it receives for
transportation under this part. That rail carrier and any
other carrier that delivers the property and is providing
transportation or service subject to the jurisdiction of the
Board under this part are liable to the person entitled to
recover under the receipt or bill of lading. The liability
imposed under this subsection is for the actual loss or
injury to the property caused by-(1) the receiving rail carrier;
(2) the delivering rail carrier; or
(3) another rail carrier over whose line or route the
property is transported in the United States or from a
55a
place in the United States to a place in an adjacent
foreign country when transported under a through bill
of lading.
Failure to issue a receipt or bill of lading does not affect the
liability of a rail carrier. A delivering rail carrier is deemed
to be the rail carrier performing the line-haul
transportation nearest the destination but does not include
a rail carrier providing only a switching service at the
destination.
(b) The rail carrier issuing the receipt or bill of lading
under subsection (a) of this section or delivering the
property for which the receipt or bill of lading was issued
is entitled to recover from the rail carrier over whose line
or route the loss or injury occurred the amount required to
be paid to the owners of the property, as evidenced by a
receipt, judgment, or transcript, and the amount of its
expenses reasonably incurred in defending a civil action
brought by that person.
(c)(1) A rail carrier may not limit or be exempt from
liability imposed under subsection (a) of this section except
as provided in this subsection. A limitation of liability or of
the amount of recovery or representation or agreement in
a receipt, bill of lading, contract, or rule in violation of this
section is void.
(2) A rail carrier of passengers may limit its liability under
its passenger rate for loss or injury of baggage carried on
trains carrying passengers.
(3) A rail carrier providing transportation or service
subject to the jurisdiction of the Board under this part may
establish rates for transportation of property under which--
56a
(A) the liability of the rail carrier for such property is
limited to a value established by written declaration of
the shipper or by a written agreement between the
shipper and the carrier; or
(B) specified amounts are deducted, pursuant to a
written agreement between the shipper and the carrier,
from any claim against the carrier with respect to the
transportation of such property.
(d)(1) A civil action under this section may be brought in a
district court of the United States or in a State court.
(2)(A) A civil action under this section may only be
brought-(i) against the originating rail carrier, in the judicial
district in which the point of origin is located;
(ii) against the delivering rail carrier, in the judicial
district in which the principal place of business of the
person bringing the action is located if the delivering
carrier operates a railroad or a route through such
judicial district, or in the judicial district in which the
point of destination is located; and
(iii) against the carrier alleged to have caused the loss
or damage, in the judicial district in which such loss or
damage is alleged to have occurred.
(B) In this section, “judicial district” means (i) in the case
of a United States district court, a judicial district of the
United States, and (ii) in the case of a State court, the
applicable geographic area over which such court exercises
jurisdiction.
(e) A rail carrier may not provide by rule, contract, or
otherwise, a period of less than 9 months for filing a claim
57a
against it under this section and a period of less than 2
years for bringing a civil action against it under this
section. The period for bringing a civil action is computed
from the date the carrier gives a person written notice that
the carrier has disallowed any part of the claim specified in
the notice. For the purposes of this subsection-(1) an offer of compromise shall not constitute a
disallowance of any part of the claim unless the carrier,
in writing, informs the claimant that such part of the
claim is disallowed and provides reasons for such
disallowance; and
(2) communications received from a carrier’s insurer
shall not constitute a disallowance of any part of the
claim unless the insurer, in writing, informs the
claimant that such part of the claim is disallowed,
provides reasons for such disallowance, and informs the
claimant that the insurer is acting on behalf of the
carrier.
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APPENDIX E
NOTICE OF LOSS, DAMAGE OR DELAY
Dated November 5, 2013
TO:
(1)
Canadian Pacific Railway Company1
c/o Damage Prevention & Claim Services
14 Fultz Boulevard, Winnipeg MB, R3Y 0L6
Email: contact_dpfc@cpr.ca and Fax: 1-877-6853555
And also to CPR at its registered, executive and
head office, located at:
Suite 500, 401 - 9th Avenue S.W., Calgary,
Alberta T2P 4Z4
c/o Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary
(CPRL and CPRC), P.A. Guthrie, Q.C.
Email: Paul_Guthrie@cpr.ca and Fax: 1-403319-6770
1
“CPR” “Canadian Pacific” “CP” and “CPRC” refer to Canadian
Pacific Railway Company (“CPRC”), wholly owned by Canadian Pacific
Railway Limited (“CPRL”). This Notice shall also constitute and be
understood to extend to and include notice to CPRL and to each of its
principal subsidiaries (including, without reserve, CPRC and Soo Line
Corporation, Soo Line Railroad Company, and Dakota, Minnesota &
Eastern Railroad Corporation), insofar as any participated in any
respect of any aspect of the subject movements of rail traffic.
59a
This Notice of Loss, Damage or Delay is submitted
by World Fuels Services Corporation (“WFSC”), World
Fuels Services, Inc. (“WFSI”), and Western Petroleum
Company (“WPC”) (collectively the “Notifying
Parties”) to the Canadian Pacific Railway Company
(“CPR”) (including any of its subsidiaries, associated or
affiliated railway companies listed in Appendix A of
Certificate of fitness No. 96001-3 issued by the Canadian
Transportation Agency by its Decision No. 396-R-2007) and
to the parent owner of CPRC, CPRL, for all losses
sustained as a consequence of the derailment of Unit Train
606-282 (“Train 282”) on July 6, 2013 near Lac-Mégantic,
Québec, on the line of the Montreal, Maine & Atlantic
Canada Co. (“MMAC”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway, Ltd. (together, here
described as “MMA”). The Notifying Parties are
submitting this Notice to CPR as the originating carrier
that issued a through bill of lading for transportation of
Train 282 pursuant to a joint through rate, and as the rail
carrier which obtained possession of the goods on Train 282
at their point of origin. The Notifying Parties assert that
the carrier CPR is liable to them for the losses related to
this traffic described in this Notice, including but certainly
not limited to the loss, damage or delay of the Notifying
Parties’ goods on Train 282, and of all affected railcars.
60a
AND TO:
(2)
Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway, Ltd.
and its wholly-owned subsidiary Montreal,
Maine & Atlantic Canada Co.2
c/o M. Donald Gardner, Jr., VP Finance &
Administration, CFO,
15 Iron Road, Hermon, Maine (U.S.A.) 044019621
E-mail: mdgardner@mmarail.com Fax: 1-207848-4341
c/o counsel of record for MMA collectively in
CCAA proceedings:
2
This Notice shall constitute and be understood to extend to and
include notice to each of the Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Canada Co.
and Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway, Ltd. Montreal, Maine &
Atlantic Railway, Ltd. (MMA) and its wholly-owned subsidiary
Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Canada Co. (MMAC), which at the material
time held Certificate of Fitness No. 02004-3 issued by the Canadian
Transportation Agency (Agency) pursuant to section 92 of the Canada
Transportation Act, S.C. 1996, c. 10, as amended.
In particular this Certificate of Fitness in Canada permitted “MMAC
to operate a railway: between Saint-Jean, Quebec and Lennoxville,
Quebec; ... ; and between Lennoxville, Quebec and the Canada/United
States border near Boundary, Quebec; and by virtue of an interchange
agreement with the Canadian Pacific Railway Company, on the
Canadian Pacific Railway Company’s Adirondack Subdivision
between Saint-Jean, Quebec and Saint-Luc Junction, Quebec.” The
derailment of Train 282 on July 6, 2013 near Lac-Mégantic, Quebec,
was on the line of the Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Canada Co., owned
and operated by MMA collectively.
61a
Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP, Attention:
Denis St-Onge
1, Place Ville-Marie, 37th Floor, Montréal QC
H3B 3P4
E-mail: denis.st-onge@gowlings.com ; Fax : 1514-876-9519
And also to: counsel to MMA, Pierre Legault, of
Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP
E-mail: pierre.legault@gowlings.com ; Direct
Fax : 1-514-876-9599
And also to: the Monitor, CCAA proceedings:
Richter Advisory Group, Inc., c/o Gilles
Robillard
1981 McGill College, Montreal, QC H3A 0G6
E-mail: grobillard@richter.ca Fax: 1-514-9343504
And also to: counsel of record for the Monitor,
(Richter Advisory Group Inc.):
Woods LLP, c/o Sylvain Vauclair
2000, avenue McGill College, suite 1700,
Montreal, QC H3A 3H3
E-mail: svauclair@woods.qc.ca Fax : 1-514-2842046
This Notice of Loss, Damage or Delay is submitted
by the Notifying Parties to MMA for all losses sustained
as a consequence of the derailment of Train 282 on July 6,
2013 near Lac-Mégantic, Québec, on the MMA line. The
62a
Notifying Parties are submitting this Notice to MMA as a
carrier on whose line of railway Train 282 was located at
the time of the derailment, during the course of the rail
movement pursuant to the through bill of lading issued
under a joint through rate to destination by CPR for
transportation of Train 282. The Notifying Parties provide
notice that MMA is also liable to them for the losses related
to this traffic described in this Notice, including but not
limited to the loss, damage or delay of the Notifying
Parties’ goods on Train 282, and of all affected railcars.
Proviso and reservation of rights:
This Notice of Loss, Damage or Delay is submitted
at this time by the Notifying Parties, without prejudice
to any of its or their rights to bring any or all of their claims
in any venue or jurisdiction available to them, and without
prejudice to any of its or their rights to plead and rely upon
the laws of the United States of America or of Canada as
are or may be applicable. Without limiting any of the
foregoing or any rights of the Notifying Parties, this Notice
of Loss, Damage or Delay is submitted at this time and
shall be, if and as may be required, considered as a
sufficient and comprehensive Notice to at all times satisfy
any requirement of notice under the Railway Traffic
Liability Regulations, [Canada] (SOR/91-488), providing
for service of a notice of loss of goods, or delay or damage
to goods, in printed or electronic form, which is to be
received by the originating carrier or delivering carrier
within four months after a reasonable period for delivery of
the goods has expired, in the case of loss, or within four
months after delivery of the goods, where damage or delay
is claimed. This Notice shall be without any waiver or
limitation whatsoever of the rights of the Notifying Parties
under the laws of the United States of America, including
63a
the Carmack Amendment (49 U.S.C. § 11706), which
provides a period of not less than 9 months for filing a
notice of claim against a rail carrier, and the rules of the
Surface Transportation Board (49 C.F.R. Part 1005),
entitled “Principles and Practices for the Investigation
and Voluntary Disposition of Loss and Damage Claims
and Processing Salvage.” The Notifying Parties will submit
a separate notice of claim in accordance with the
aforementioned provisions of U.S. law at the appropriate
time.
I. Background Information on Train 282 & particulars
of contracting.
On July 6, 2013, Train 282 consisted of one buffer car
and 72 tank cars containing petroleum crude oil (STCC
4910165) (UN/NA Code: UN1267) to be transported from
New Town North Dakota (U.S.A.) through to destination,
Saint John, New Brunswick (Canada). CPR issued Waybill
No. 243537 (attached as EXHIBIT 1) and an unnumbered
bill of lading (EXHIBIT 2). The bill of lading identifies
WPC as the “Shipper,” Irving Oil Ltd: as the “Consignee,”
and WFSC as the party to be billed. WFSI held title to the
crude oil and was the entity actually invoiced by CPR for
Train 282 (EXHIBIT 3). WPC is also the lessee of the
railcars.
CPR originated Train 282 at New Town on June 29,
2013, obtaining possession of the Notifying Parties’ goods
and the railcars at their point of origin, and transported
Train 282 to CPR’s Côte Saint-Luc Yard, in the greater
Montreal area, Quebec, where, on July 5, 2013, it
interchanged Train 282 with MMA. On the evening of July
5th, MMA parked Train 282 on its mainline track at
Nantes, Quebec, and left Train 282 unattended. Early the
following morning, July 6, 2013, the unattended Train 282
64a
began to roll down a grade towards Lac-Mégantic, where,
63 of the 72 tank cars derailed, spilling their contents; there
was an ensuing fire, loss of 47 lives, and property and
environmental damage.
II. Summary of the Notifying Parties’ Losses.
Except for the value of the lost freight (goods), the
Notifying Parties’ losses cannot be determined with
greater specificity at this time. Many of these losses are not
yet fully known because they are continuing to accrue
and/or the Notifying Parties’ liability has not yet been
determined. In addition the Notifying Parties have suffered
and shall foreseeably incur the costs and expense of all
counsel and contracted expertise, and the risk of costs and
loss in projected and pending suits, actions or proceedings
in multiple jurisdictions. Such losses and costs cannot yet
be determined, and CPR and MMA are put on notice of all
such prospective losses.
A. Value of Freight.
The derailment resulted in a total loss of the cargo
(goods) in each of 63 cars destroyed at Lac-Mégantic. Each
of the 63 derailed tank cars contained approximately 32,000
US gallons of petroleum crude oil with the derailed cars
containing a total of 42,254 barrels of oil. The crude oil had
been sold FOB destination to Irving Oil Ltd., the consignee
for Train 282, and had a full value, including the 9 railcars
referenced below, of $4,968,334.82 (U.S. Dollars). The
Notifying Parties reserve all rights to establish and seek
recovery of the full value of the goods, including the added
freight and other charges and customs duties as may have
been paid or were payable, all costs and expense associated
with causing these railcars and all cargo therein to be
further moved to delivery at destination, including, if
65a
required, any inspection to enable their forwarding to
destination plus any accruing prejudgment interest on all
losses, so as to make the Notifying Parties whole.
In addition to notice of the loss of freight claims as to
the 63 railcars, for each of the 9 railcars within Train 282
not destroyed at Lac-Mégantic, but removed to MMA’s
Farnham Yard, the delivery of the railcars and of the goods
within these 9 railcars has been delayed beyond the
reasonable period for delivery or as contracted, as a result
of the breach by CPR of its contractual undertaking to the
Notifying Parties, and the neglect or refusal of the rail
carriers CPR and MMA to meet their statutory level of
service obligations to the Notifying Parties and their
contractual and statutory or other obligations and
undertakings with or to each other. Whether the customer
will assert any damage to the goods is as yet
undeterminable, before delivery to and acceptance by a
customer for such goods. Loss to the Notifying Parties as
a result of the delay in delivery has also been suffered,
including but not limited to all costs and expense associated
with causing these railcars and, all cargo therein to be
further moved to delivery at destination, including, if
required, any inspection and any trans-loading of the goods
from any of the 9 railcars to enable their forwarding to
destination. This Notice of Loss, Damage or Delay
therefore additionally gives notice for any damage to or
delay in the transportation of the goods within these 9
railcars. Particulars of the amount of such damage are not
presently available to or known by the Notifying Parties.
B. Damaged or Destroyed Railcars.
The 63 derailed tank cars were destroyed beyond
repair. WPC leased those cars from six different lessors. If
those lessors are unable to recoup the casualty value of the
66a
destroyed cars from MMA in accordance with the AAR
Interchange Rules, WPC may be responsible under the
terms of its leases. Another railcar which was not derailed
and destroyed, car ACFX 73452, also suffered apparent
damage. Transport Canada issued a Detention Notice for
this car on October 25, 2013 based on structural damage
that the car sustained at the Lac-Mégantic derailment. The
Notifying Parties assert that it is the obligation of MMA
and CPR to repair this damage and to transport the crude
oil cargo (goods) that is contained in car ACFX 73452 to its
final destination. Costs of further inspection and any repair,
if assessed to or payable by the Notifying Parties, are as
yet unknown. In addition to the destroyed tank cars and to
car ACFX 73452, one or more of the remaining 8 tank cars
and buffer car may have been damaged and the lessors may
demand that WPC or any of the Notifying Parties pay for
additional inspection and testing, movement to shop and
repairs. Consequently, the Notifying Parties are unable to
determine the precise amount of their losses for all
damaged or destroyed railcars at this time, and they put
the CPR and MMA on notice of all such prospective losses.
C. Other Potential Liabilities.
In addition to the foregoing damage to the Notifying
Parties’ cargo and railcars, the Notifying Parties have
incurred, and will continue to be exposed to, other losses
for alleged liabilities arising from the derailment. These
include, but are not limited to, environmental clean-up costs
that have been imposed by the Quebec government in
Order 628 issued under section 114.1 of the provincial
Environment Quality Act, c.Q-2, on July 29, 2013, as
amended by Order 628-A, issued on August 14, 2013 . In
addition, the Notifying Parties are co-defendants in
multiple lawsuits filed by victims of the derailment and
67a
their relatives. To the extent that the foregoing liabilities
may be recoverable under Railway Traffic Liability
Regulations, [Canada] (SOR/91-488), this Notice shall
constitute appropriate and timely notice to CPR and MMA
that the Notifying Parties may seek to recover from them
all such losses for or arising from any such alleged
liabilities.
III. Contact Information.
Please address all correspondence concerning this Notice
to the Notifying Parties, care of:
R. Alexander Lake
SVP, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary
World Fuel Services Corporation
9800 NW 41st Street
Miami, FL, 33178, USA
(305) 428-8233 (office)
(305) 392-5645 (fax)
alake@wfscorp.com (e-mail)
68a
EXHIBIT 1
69a
EXHIBIT 2
70a
EXHIBIT 3
71a
APPENDIX F
CANADIAN
PACIFIC
Suite 1000
120 South 6th St.
Minneapolis MN
55402
William M Tuttle
General Counsel U.S.
Tel 612 904 5967
Fax 612 851 5647
bill_tuttle@cpr.ca
VIA U.S. MAIL AND EMAIL (alake@wfscorp.com)
November 27, 2013
Mr. R. Alexander Lake
SVP, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary
World Fuel Services Corporation
9800 NW 41st Street
Miami, FL 33178
RE: Notice of Loss, Damages or Delay
Dear Mr. Lake:
Enclosed and served upon you via U.S. Mail and electronic
mail, please find Canadian Pacific’s Disallowance of Loss,
Damage and Delay Claims. Copyholders are receiving by
email only.
72a
Sincerely,
/s/William M. Tuttle
William M. Tuttle
General Counsel – U.S.
cc: Ken Peel (ken@fcrplaw.ca)
Donal Gardner, Jr. (mdgardner@mmarail.com)
Denis St-Ogne (denis.st-ogne@gowlings.com)
Pierre Legault (pierre.legault@gowlings.com)
Gilles Robillard (grobillard@richter.ca)
Sylvain Vauclair (svauclair@woods.qc.ca)
Enrico Fortini (eforlini@fasken.com)
Tim Thornton (tthornton@briggs.com)
Paul Guthrie
Patrick Riley
Bruce Turnbull
73a
Disallowance of Loss, Damage and Delay Claims
November 27, 2013
To:
World Fuels Services Corporation, World Fuel
Services, Inc., and Western Petroleum Company
(collectively Notifying Parties).
c/o R. Alexander Lake
SVP, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary
World Fuel Services Corporation
9800 NW 41st Street
Miami, FL 33178, USA
alake@wfscorp.com
Canadian Pacific Railway Company for itself and for its
parent, subsidiary, and affiliated companies (CP) disallows
the Notifying Parties’ Notice of Loss, Damage, or Delay
follows:
Jurisdiction
The Notifying Parties submitted their claim under
Canadian law – namely the Railway Traffic Regulation
[Canada] [SOR/91-488). But claims for damaged or
delayed goods on Train 282 are governed by United States
law – namely, the Carmack Amendment, 49 U.S.C. § 11706.
By invoking Canadian law, the Notifying Parties have
failed to submit a valid claim.
All Notifying Parties are United States corporations.
Notifying Parties tendered Train 282 to CP in the United
States at New Town, North Dakota, and the substantial
portion of CP’s movement of Train 282 took place in the
United States. Hence, as Sandra Brown’s August 19, 2013
letter on behalf of Notifying Parties acknowledges, the
Carmack Amendment (49 U.S.C. § 11706) governs the
74a
relationship between CP, as carrier, and any Notifying
Party, as shipper. In fact, ¶ 23 of the Notifying Parties’
Contestation of the Quebec Minister of Sustainable
Development, Environment, Wildlife, and Parks Order
insists that U.S. law governs lading claims.
Importantly, the Carmack Amendment limits lading
claim liability to the person “entitled to recover under the
... bill of lading.” As the designated shipper, that person
would appear to be Western Petroleum, and no other
Notifying Party entity. Further the Carmack Amendment
restricts carrier liability to “the actual loss or injury to the
property” received for transportation. Thus, even if
Western Petroleum were to submit a proper Carmack
Amendment claim, CP’s liability, if any, could not exceed
the value of the lading (crude oil) and would not encompass
rail-car damage claims or indemnity against third-party
tort or governmental environmental claims. Those matters
unquestionably go beyond the value of the property that
CP received for transportation.
Even though U.S. law delineates the rights and
obligations of CP, as carrier, and Western Petroleum, as
shipper, regarding lading claims, that statutorily
prescribed relationship does not restrict CP’s right to plead
and to rely upon the laws of Canada, including the Province
of Quebec, bearing on any extra-contractual claims, tort
claims, statutory claims, rail-car-damage claims, or
indemnity against third party extra-contractual claims
arising out of the Lac Mégantic derailment. In other words
the statute governing the shipper/carrier lading claim
relationship does not go beyond that context.
75a
CP Tariff
Items 41, 61, and 81 of CP Tariff 1 provide that “[b]y
ordering service from CP you are agreeing to and
accepting the terms and conditions published in CP tariffs
in effect at the time you place your order.” Similarly, Item
120 provides “[b]y sending shipping instructions for a
shipment to move CP you are agreeing to and accepting the
terms and conditions published in CP’s tariffs in effect at
the time you send the shipping instructions.” In recognition
of World Petroleum’s acceptance of those terms and
conditions, Richard Neville’s July 22, 2013 letter to Keith
Creel recognized that CP tariffs govern CP’s rights and
obligations regarding Train 282.
Tariff 1 specifies that the rules of Tariff 1 through 10
apply to all shipments carried on CP. Item 200 ¶ 1. And
Item 200 ¶ 2 specifies that shipments originating in the
United States will be deemed to use a U.S. Uniform
Straight Bill of Lading, which is exactly the shipping
document under which Train 282 moved – again confirming
the applicability of U.S. law. Item 200 ¶ 11(b) also subjects
this U.S. originating shipment (Train 282) to U.S. law, the
Carmack Amendment, 49 U.S.C. § 11706.
And contrary to Notifying Parties’ contention that CP
contracted with Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railroad to
move Train 282, in ¶ 4 of Item 200, Tariff 1, Western
Petroleum represented and warranted to CP that Western
Fuels controlled the routing of Train 282, which is exactly
what happened in the case. As Item 130 specifies, “[f]or
shipments traveling to or from other railways, you request
which other railway(s) and where the interchange will
occur.” Train 282 moved beyond the Montreal area via
Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railroad despite the
availability of an alternative, although more expensive,
76a
routing to the St. John’s refinery. According to the
governing tariffs that decision was Western Petroleum’s to
make. Hence, upon interchange with MM&A, CP’s
responsibility for and control over Train 282 ceased.
And since Train 282 carried hazardous commodities in
private cars, CP Tariff 8 and Tariff 6 applied. Those tariffs
made Western Petroleum responsible for the safety and
suitability of the cars in which the crude oil was to be
transported: the safety and suitability of DOT -111 rail cars
are the basis for many of the claims now pending in various
jurisdictions against the Notifying Parties. See Tariff 8,
Item 20 & Tariff 6, Item 2.
Besides that, Tariff 1, Item 120 requires the shipper to
submit accurate shipping instructions and offers help if
shippers have questions about shipping instruction
obligations. Yet even though Item 122 requires, for
ensuring safety, accurate disclosures of hazardous
commodity “Packing Groups,” Western Fuel
misrepresented that information: the crude oil was
designated as Packing Group 3, rather than the accurate
classification, Packing Group 2. That fraud obviates any CP
lading liability to Notifying Parties.
Additionally, Tariff 1, Item 200 ¶¶ 11(f) & (j) disclaims
liability for indirect and consequential damage, as well as
punitive and special damages. Nevertheless, the Notifying
Parties’ Notice seeks exactly those damages, including
damages the Notifying Parties will incur as a result of the
litigation, as well as the cost of defense, spawned by the Lac
Mégantic derailment.
Finally, Tariff 1, Item 200 ¶¶ 11(u) and 13 specify that
CP will only be liable for loss and damage that is directly
and proximately caused by or the result of CP’s intentional
77a
acts or omissions, or negligence. No CP act, omission, or
negligence caused or contributed to the Lac Megantic
derailment. To avoid tariff fault liability limitations,
shippers must request and pay for Full Liability
Transportation coverage (49 U.S. C. § 11706). Item 200 ¶
11(w). Notifying Parties failed to make a Full Liability
Transportation selection or payment.
Contact information
William M. Tuttle
Canadian Pacific
Suite 1000
120 South 6th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402
(612) 904-5967
Bill_Tuttle@cpr.ca
78a
APPENDIX G
EXHIBIT A
Sheahan and Partners G.R. Environment and Litigation
4620 Sainte-Catherine Street West,
Westmount, Quebec H3Z 1S3
T. 514 507 9146 / F. 514 507 9846
N:628
Montréal, August 9, 2013
TO:
The Minister of Sustainable
Development, Environment,
Wildlife and Parks (the “Minister”)
BY:
Western Petroleum Company, legal
person duly constituted, having its
head office at 9531 W 78th Street,
suite 102, Eden Prairie, Minnesota
55344, United States
World Fuel Services Corporation,
legal person duly constituted, having
its head office at 9800 N.W. 41st
Street, suite 400, Miami, Florida
33178 United States
APPLICATION FOR REVIEW
Order n°628 issued by the Minister of Sustainable
Development, Environment, Wildlife and Parks on July
29, 2013 (the “Emergency Order”)
To the Honourable Minister,
79a
The Emergency Order at issue was aimed at four parties:
Montréal, Maine & Atlantique Canada Cie, Montréal,
Maine & Atlantic Railway Ltd. (collectively “MMA”),
Western Petroleum Company (“WPC”), and World Fuel
Services Corporation (“WFSC”) and provides, in
accordance with section 5 of the Act respecting
administrative justice, the parties to whom it is addressed
the opportunity to submit observations regarding the
Emergency Order within ten (10) days following the date
of notification of the Emergency Order. For the record,
WPC and WFSC both received the Emergency Order on
August 1st, 2013. It was however agreed between the
undersigned counsel and the attorneys of the Ministry of
Sustainable Development, Environment, Wildlife and
Parks (“MSDEWP”) that the delay to provide the
application for review under the EQA would be August 9,
2013.
Since the issuance of the Emergency Order, WPC and
WFSC have deployed all necessary due diligence to ensure
that the terms of the Emergency Order are being complied
with, under reserve of their right to seek review and to
contest it in accordance with section 96 of the
*
*
*
[p.6]
attached as Schedule 2 because it coordinated the
entrustment of the shipment to Canadian Pacific.
Because the crude oil was never owned by WFSC or WPC,
the Emergency Order is improperly directed against these
parties.
Moreover, WFSI is not the owner of the crude oil because
ownership effectively transferred to MMA when that
company assumed the right to dispose of or to sell the
80a
spilled crude oil after the derailment. As discussed above,
WPC entrusted the tank cars and crude oil to Canadian
Pacific under a through bill of lading issued in New Town,
North Dakota. Because the point of origin of the shipment
was in the United States, we have been informed by U.S.
counsel it is subject to the Carmack Amendment discussed
above. See 49 U.S.C. § 11706(a), Schedule 3. Under
Canadian choice of law principles, the Carmack
Amendment governs the parties’ respective rights and
obligations with respect to the crude oil after the
derailment. See Article 3111 CCQ as a result of item 200-2
of Canadian Pacific Tariff 1 rules and regulations
incorporating by reference the U.S. Uniform Straight Bill
of Lading which is therefore expressly designated as the
applicable U.S. law.
According to U.S. counsel, under the Carmack
Amendment, Canadian Pacific and MMA became jointly
and severally liable for the actual loss and damage to the
cargo once the derailment occurred. See 49 U.S.C. § 11706
referred to above. As such, either railroad had the right to
salvage and dispose of or sell the compromised crude oil on
its own account. Once a railroad does so, it has effectively
exercised ownership rights over the oil and the railroad has
the right to dispose of the oil however it sees fit. In that
circumstance, WFSI’s recourse under 49 U.S.C. § 11706 is
to be compensated for the actual loss and damage by one of
the railroads, including the origin carrier that was
originally entrusted with the goods (Canadian Pacific in
this instance). Consistent with these principles, MMA
asserted immediately after the derailment that it is the
owner of the crude oil that was damaged and released from
the tank cars, and has exercised its right to reclaim and
dispose of or sell that compromised crude oil. WFSI did not
contest MMA’s doing so. Consequently, WFSC, WPC and
81a
WFSI relinquished any ownership in the crude oil they had
when MMA assumed its right to dispose of and sell the
compromised oil after the derailment.
Paragraph 5:
To the extent that the statements contained in paragraph
5—stating that “section 8 of the Regulation respecting
hazardous materials (“RRHM”) provides that it is
prohibited to emit, deposit, release or discharge a
hazardous material into the environment or into a sewage
system, or to allow the emission, deposit, release or
discharge”—are directed at WPC or WFSC, it is incorrect
to do so.
The Emergency Order is directed at WFSC and WPC
solely by virtue of their alleged ownership of the spilled
crude oil. Setting aside the fact that these companies were
never the owners of
*
*
*
82a
APPENDIX H
NOTICE OF CLAIM
Dated April 4, 2014
TO:
Canadian Pacific Railway Company
c/o Damage Prevention & Claim Services
14 Fultz Boulevard, Winnipeg MB, R3Y 0L6
E-mail: contact_dpfo@cpr.ca
Fax: 1-877-685-3555
This Notice of Claim is submitted by World Fuel
Services Corporation (“WFSC”), World Fuel Services Inc.
(“WFSI”), and Western Petroleum Company (“WPC”)
(collectively “Claimants”) to the Canadian Pacific Railway
Company (“CPR”), Canadian Pacific Railway Limited
(“CPRL”), CPRC and Soo Line Corporation (“CPRC”), Soo
Line Railroad Company (“Soo Line”), and Dakota,
Minnesota & Eastern Railroad Corporation (“DME”)
(collectively “CPR entities”), pursuant to 49 U.S.C. § 11706,
for losses sustained as a consequence of the derailment of
Unit Train 606-282 (“Train 282”) on July 6, 2013 near Lac
Mégantic, Quebec. Claimants assert that the CPR entities
are liable to Claimants for the losses described in this
Notice.
This Notice of Claim is submitted at this time by the
Claimants without prejudice to any of their rights to bring
any or all of their claims in any venue or jurisdiction
available to them, and without prejudice to any of their
rights to plead and rely upon the laws of the United States
of America or Canada as are applicable.
83a
I. Background Information on Train 282.
On July 6, 2013, Train 282 consisted of one buffer car
and 72 tank cars1 containing petroleum crude oil (STCC
4910165) to be transported from New Town, ND (U.S.A.)
through to destination at Saint John, New Brunswick
(Canada). CPR issued Waybill No. 243537 (attached as
EXHIBIT 1) and an unnumbered bill of lading (EXHIBIT
2). The bill of lading identifies CPR as the origin carrier
that issued a through bill of lading for transportation of
Train 282. Train 282 moved pursuant to a joint through
rate. The bill of lading identifies WPC as the “Shipper,”
Irving Oil Ltd. as the “Consignee,” and WFSC as the party
to be billed. WFSI held title to the crude oil and was the
entity invoiced by CPR for Train 282 (EXHIBIT 3).
CPR originated Train 282 at New Town on June 29,
2013, obtaining possession of the Claimants’ cargo and rail
cars at their point of origin, and transported the Train to
CPR’s Côte Saint-Luc Yard, in the greater Montreal area,
Quebec, where, on July 5, 2013, it interchanged Train 282
with the Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Canada Co. (“MMA”).2
Claimants did not contract separately with MMA. Early
the following morning, July 6, 2013, the Train rolled
towards Lac-Mégantic, where 63 of the 72 tank cars
derailed, spilling their contents; there was an ensuing fire,
loss of 47 lives, and property and environmental damage.
1
Although Train 282 consisted of 78 tank cars when it departed New
Town, ND, 6 cars were bad-ordered en route, leaving only 72 cars on
the Train at the time of the derailment.
2
The Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Canada Co. is owned and operated by
Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway, Ltd., and all references herein to
“MMA” shall encompass both entities.
84a
II. Claimants’ Losses.
Claimants’ determinable and calculable losses, as of the
filing of this Notice, are as follows:
Lost Cargo
$4,346,429.30
Damaged or
Destroyed Rail Cars
$2,324,163.97
Environmental
Clean-Up Expenses
To be determined
Wrongful Death,
Personal Injury,
Property Damage,
and Other Litigation
Loss
To be determined
TOTAL
DETERMINABLE/
CALCULABLE
DAMAGES AS OF
APRIL 4, 2014
$6,670,593.27
Except for the costs incurred for the lost cargo and
some costs related to damaged or destroyed railcars, the
foregoing summary of Claimants’ losses cannot be
determined or calculated with greater specificity at this
time. Many of these losses are not yet fully known because
they are continuing to accrue and/or Claimants’
responsibility, if any, has not yet been determined. In
addition, the Claimants have suffered and shall foreseeably
incur costs and expense of all counsel and contracted
expertise, and the risk of costs and loss in projected and
pending suits, actions or proceedings in multiple
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jurisdictions. Therefore, Claimants reserve the right to
supplement this Notice as such losses accrue and the
amount of such losses becomes known. Through this
Notice, Claimants assert that the CPR entities are liable
for all such losses as they accrue.
A. Lost Cargo.
The derailment resulted in a total loss of the cargo in
each of the 63 cars damaged or destroyed at Lac-Mégantic.
Each tank car contained approximately 30,000 US gallons
of petroleum crude oil. The 63 derailed cars collectively
contained a total of 42,254 barrels of oil. The crude oil had
been sold FOB destination to Irving Oil Ltd., the consignee
for Train 282, for $4,346,429.30. The transaction price is
supported by the invoices attached as EXHIBIT 4.
Claimants assert that the CPR entities are liable to them
for the full value of the lost and destroyed cargo.
B. Damaged or Destroyed Rail Cars.
The 63 derailed tank cars were damaged or destroyed
beyond repair. WPC leased those cars from six different
lessors. Claimants expect that the lessors will attempt to
recoup the casualty value of the damaged or destroyed cars
from MMA; if the lessors are not successful at recouping
the full value of the rail cars (or any value at all), Claimants
assert that the CPR entities are liable for the remaining
costs and expenses related to this loss.
Claimants are unable to determine the precise amount
of their losses for damaged or destroyed rail cars at this
time. Nevertheless, Claimants have attempted to provide
as complete an estimate as possible based upon information
currently known. EXHIBIT 5 is a spreadsheet that, for
each destroyed rail car, identifies the Lessor, car number,
and casualty value. The estimated casualty values have
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been provided by the lessors in correspondence attached as
EXHIBIT 6. Several of the lessors, however, have not yet
provided Claimants with casualty values and may not do so
until the status of their claims against MMA in bankruptcy
have been resolved. In the meantime, Claimants continue
to experience losses from continuing rental obligation
under the leases as shown in EXHIBIT 7. Even for those
lessors that have provided casualty values for their tank
cars, the amount of Claimants’ liability, if any, under the
terms of their leases has not been determined.
The amount in this Notice of $2,324,163.97 is based upon
the known casualty values identified in EXHIBIT 5 and
currently known rental obligations identified in EXHIBIT
7. Claimants will supplement this Notice with additional
casualty values and rental payments as they become known
and when the tank car lessors demand payment from the
Claimants.
In addition to the 63 derailed railcars, one or more of
the remaining 9 non-derailed tank cars may have been
damaged and the lessors may demand that Claimants pay
for such repairs or damage. If and when such claims are
made against the Claimants, this Notice will be amended.
Claimants assert that the CPR entities are liable for all of
these costs and expenses.
C. Environmental Clean-Up Expenses.
When Train 282 derailed, 63 rail cars released their
contents into the environment. Claimants are involved in
proceedings involving the Minister of Sustainable
Development, Environment, Wildlife and Parks (the
“Minister”) before the Tribunal Administratif du Québec
through which they are contesting two Orders issued by
the Minister (EXHIBIT 8). Claimants expect that there
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could be additional environmental actions brought against
them. To the extent that Claimants are held liable and
incur loss related to environmental assessments and cleanup costs, containment and recovery efforts, or other
environmental loss (“Clean Up Expenses”), such losses are
included in this Notice. The precise amount of both the
Clean Up Expenses and Claimants’ portion of such Clean
Up Expenses has not yet been determined. Claimants
assert that the CPR entities are liable for Claimant’s
portion of such costs, and Claimants will amend this Notice
periodically to report additional costs as they accrue.
D.
Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, Property
Damage, and Other Litigation Loss.
Claimants are co-defendants in multiple lawsuits filed
by victims of the derailment and their relatives. EXHIBIT
9 is a list of all known actions as of the date of this Notice.
Claimants are also co-defendants in a lawsuit filed by
MMA’s trustee in the United States Bankruptcy Court for
the District of Maine (EXHIBIT 10) and anticipate that
future claims may be filed against them, including claims
for personal injury, wrongful death, property damage,
indemnification, and other claims related to the July 6, 2013
derailment. Although no action or claim has resulted in the
imposition of liability upon Claimants at this time, to the
extent that Claimants may incur any liability or loss
(including settlements) in any of these actions or claims,
such losses are included within the scope of this Notice. In
addition, Claimants have incurred, and will continue to
incur, costs to defend these legal actions and claims, for
which Claimants assert that the CPR entities are
responsible. Claimants will amend this Notice as and when
such amounts accrue and are determinable. Claimants
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assert that the CPR entities are liable for all of these costs
and expenses.
IV.
Contact Information.
Please address all correspondence concerning this Notice
to the Claimants, care of:
R. Alexander Lake
SVP, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary
World Fuel Services Corporation
9800 NW 41st Street
Miami, FL, 33178, USA
(305) 428~8233 (office)
(305) 392~5645 (fax)
alake@wfscorg.com (e-mail)
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APPENDIX I
Disallowance of Carmack Amendment claims
April 24, 2014
To:
World Fuels Services Corporation, World Fuel
Services, Inc., and Western Petroleum Company
(collectively Claimants).
c/o R. Alexander Lake
SVP, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary
World Fuel Services Corporation
9800 NW 41st Street
Miami, FL 33178, USA
alake@wfscorp.com
Canadian Pacific Railway Company for itself and for its
parent, subsidiary, and affiliated companies (CP) disallows
Notice of Claim follows:
Jurisdiction
In November of 2013 Claimant submitted a claim under
Canadian law – namely the Railway Traffic Regulation
[Canada] [SOR/91-488] for damages associated with Train
282’s derailment. In April those same Claimants submitted
a claim regarding Train 282 under United States law –
namely, the Carmack Amendment, 49 U.S.C. § 11706.
All Claimant are United States corporations. Claimants
tendered Train 282 to CP in the United States at New
Town, North Dakota, and the substantial portion of CP’s
movement of Train 282 took place in the United States. As
a result, the Carmack Amendment (49 U.S.C. § 11706)
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together with CP’s tariffs govern the relationship between
CP, as carrier, and any Claimant, as shipper. In fact, ¶ 23
of the Notifying Parties’ Contestation of the Quebec
Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment,
Wildlife, and Parks Order insisted that U.S. law governs
lading claims.
Importantly, the Carmack Amendment limits lading
claim liability to the person “entitled to recover under the
. . . bill of lading.” As the designated shipper, that person
would appear to be Western Petroleum, and no other
Claimant entity. Further the Carmack Amendment
restricts carrier liability to “the actual loss or injury to the
property” received for transportation. Thus in the event of
a proper Carmack Amendment claim, CP’s liability, if any,
could not exceed the value of the lading (crude oil) and
would not encompass rail-car damage claims or indemnity
against third-party tort or governmental environmental
claims. Those matters unquestionably go beyond the value
of the property that CP received for transportation.
Even though U.S. law delineates the rights and
obligations of CP, as carrier, and Western Petroleum, as
shipper, regarding lading claims, that statutorily
prescribed relationship does not restrict CP’s right to plead
and to rely upon the laws of Canada, including the Province
of Quebec, bearing on any extra-contractual claims, tort
claims, statutory claims, rail-car-damage claims, or
indemnity against third party extra-contractual claims
arising out of the Lac Megantic derailment In other words
the statute governing the shipper/carrier lading claim
relationship does not go beyond that context.
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CP Tariff
Items 41, 61, and 81 of CP Tariff 1 provide that “[b]y
ordering service from CP you are agreeing to and
accepting the terms and conditions published in CP tariffs
in effect at the time you place your order.” Similarly, Item
120 provides “[b]y sending shipping instructions for a
shipment to move CP you are agreeing to and accepting the
terms and conditions published in CP’s tariffs in effect at
the time you send the shipping instructions.” In recognition
of World Petroleum’s acceptance of those terms and
conditions, Richard Neville’s July 22, 2013 letter to Keith
Creel insisted that CP tariffs govern CP’s rights and
obligations regarding Train 282.
Tariff 1 specifies that the rules of Tariff 1 through 10
apply to all shipments carried on CP. Item 200 ¶ 1. And
Item 200 ¶ 2 specifies that shipments originating in the
United States will be deemed to use a U.S. Uniform
Straight Bill of Lading, which is exactly the shipping
document under which Train 282 moved – again confirming
the applicability of U.S. law. Item 200 ¶ 11(b) also subjects
this U.S. originating shipment (Train 282) to U.S. law, the
Carmack Amendment, 49 U.S.C. § 11706.
And contrary to Claimant’s contention that CP
contracted with Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railroad to
move Train 282, in ¶ 4 of item 200, Tariff 1, Western
Petroleum represented and warranted to CP that Western
Petroleum controlled the routing of Train 282, which is
exactly what happened in the case. As Item 130 specifies,
“[f]or shipments traveling to or from other railways, you
request which other railway(s) and where the interchange
will occur.” Train 282 moved beyond the Montreal area via
Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railroad despite the
availability of an alternative, although more expensive,
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routing to the refinery in St. John NB. According to the
governing tariffs, that decision was Western Petroleum’s to
make. Hence, upon interchange with MM&A, CP’s
responsibility for and control over Train 282 ceased.
And since Train 282 carried hazardous commodities in
private cars, CP Tariff 8 and Tariff 6 applied. Those tariffs
made Western Petroleum responsible for the safety and
suitability of the cars in which the crude oil was
transported: the safety and suitability of DOT-111 rail cars
are the basis for many of the claims now pending in various
jurisdictions against the Claimants. See Tariff 8, Item 20 &
Tariff 6, Item 2.
Besides that, Tariff 1, Item 120 requires the shipper to
submit accurate shipping instructions and offers help if
shippers have questions about shipping instruction
obligations. Yet even though Item 122 requires, for
ensuring safety, accurate disclosures of hazardous
commodity “Packing Groups,” Western Petroleum
misrepresented that information: the crude oil was
designated as Packing Group 3, rather than the accurate
classification, Packing Group 2. That fraud obviates any CP
lading liability to Notifying Parties.
Additionally, Tariff 1, Item 200 ¶¶ 11(f) & (j) disclaims
liability for indirect and consequential damage, as well as
punitive and special damages. Nevertheless, the Claimants’
claims seek that exact relief, including damages the
Claimants will incur as a result of the litigation, as well as
the cost of defense, spawned by the Lac Megantic
derailment.
Finally, Tariff 1, Item 200 ¶¶ (u) and 13 specify that CP
will only be liable for loss and damage that is directly and
proximately caused by or the result of CP’s intentional acts,
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omissions, or negligence. No CP act, omission, or
negligence caused or contributed to the Lac Megantic
derailment. To avoid tariff fault liability limitations,
shippers must request and pay for Full Liability
Transportation coverage (49 U.S.C. § 11706). Item 200 ¶
11(w). Claimants failed to make a Full Liability
Transportation selection or payment.
Contact information
William M. Tuttle
Canadian Pacific Railway Limited
Suite 100
120 South 6th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402
(612) 904-5967
Bill_Tuttle@cpr.ca
This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.