§ 23-10-211 — Handling of baggage

(a) (1) All railroad and express companies in this state are required to provide each and every one of its trains with one (1) or more stage-planks, of not less than eight feet (8') in length and three feet (3') in width, or trucks to be used in unloading trunks and baggage from their trains to the depot platforms. (2) All railroads and express companies in this state and their agents and employees are required to use the stage-planks or trucks provided for in subdivision (a)(1) of this section while they are unloading baggage and trunks from their trains, except where platforms are as high as the car doors. (b) All railroads and express companies in this state and their agents and employees are prohibited from tumbling trunks and baggage from their car doors into the depot platforms, thereby breaking, injuring, or in anywise damaging the trunk or baggage or contents thereof. (c) Any railroad or express company violating this section or handling trunks or baggage in such a rough and careless manner as to injure the trunks or baggage shall be liable to the owner of the damaged trunks or baggage, in addition to the value of the trunks or baggage, in the sum of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) nor more than two hundred dollars ($200). This sum shall be recovered by an action against the railroad or express company in any court having jurisdiction of such causes in any county in which the railroad or express company may do business, and the court may consolidate as many separate injuries as may have occurred in any counties in this state within twelve (12) months prior to the bringing of the action.

Legislative History

Acts 1891, No. 43, §§ 1-3, p. 72; 1899, No. 86, § 1, p. 142; C. & M. Dig., §§ 973-975; Pope's Dig., §§ 1177-1179, A.S.A. 1947, §§ 73-1226 -- 73-1228.