American Commercial Lines, Inc. v. United States

When a vessel owner files a complaint in district court for limitation of liability pursuant to statute, that court is empowered to establish a “monition period” during which all claimants must file their respective claims under pain of default. See Fed. R.Civ.P., Supp.R. for Certain Admiralty and Maritime Claims, F(4).1 For cause shown, however, the court may enlarge this period in order to entertain late claims. In this case we must decide whether the District Court2 abused its discretion by denying appellant Semar leave to file a late claim under Rule F(4). Finding no abuse of discretion,…