Faribault Woolen Mill Co. v. Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad

STEPHEN L. MAXWELL, Justice. *

Plaintiff, Faribault Woolen Mill Co., brought suit under the Carmack Amendment to the Interstate Commerce Act, 49 U.S.C.A. § 20(11) (1978), 1 against the defendant rail carriers to recover for a water-damaged shipment of “greasy wool” which defendants transported. The case was tried to the court without a jury. The trial court ruled alternatively (1) that plaintiff failed to establish a prima facie case of liability under the Carmack Amendment, and (2) that, assuming arguendo, that plaintiff did establish a prima facie case, defendants had rebutted the case.…