Rosenberg v. Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad

Per Curiam. This action was brought to recover damages caused by defendant in delaying a shipment [2] of goods belonging to the plaintiff. The goods were delivered to the defendant in this city, on August 14, 1913, consigned to one Rubenstein at Hannibal, Mo. They were transported by defendant and its connecting carriers, and tendered to the consignee on November 20, 1913. The shipment was refused by him. It is conceded that a reasonable time for the transportation of a shipment of this character in the ordinary course of events is six days. The delay between August 14 and November 20,1913, and the defendant’s responsibility for that delay are admitted. The only question in the case is the measure of damages which the plaintiff was entitled to recover by reason of such delay. The proof showed that the goods consisted of ladies’ and misses’ cloaks and are what is known as “ seasonable ” goods. The plaintiff is entitled to recover only such damages as were reasonably within the contemplation of the parties when the contract of shipment was made. The damages allowed by the court below were based wholly upon the fact that the goods were seasonable, and there was no proof that the defendant had notice of this fact nor was there any testimony given from which the defendant could be charged with such knowledge. The bill of lading simply described the goods as “ 1 case elks. ’ ’ Under the decision in the case of Wolfe v. Weir, 61 Misc. Rep. 57, and Lichtenstein & Co. v. Fargo, 66 id. 149, the judgment must be reversed. Present: Seabury and Cohalan, JJ. Bijur, J. dissenting. Judgment reversed, new trial ordered, with costs to appellant to abide event.