Goldberger v. McPeak

• Decision Date: 09 May 1945
• Docket Number: No. 3744.,3744.
• Citation: 60 F. Supp. 498
• Parties: GOLDBERGER et al. v. McPEAK et al.
• Court: U.S. District Court — Western District of Pennsylvania

60 F. Supp. 498

GOLDBERGER et al. v. McPEAK et al.

No. 3744.

District Court, E. D. Pennsylvania.

May 9, 1945.

Eugene H. Feldman, of Philadelphia, Pa., for plaintiff.

Lloyd J. Schumacker, of Souser, Schumacker & Taylor, all of Philadelphia, Pa., for McPeak.

A. J. Goldin and Alma H. Arnold, both of Philadelphia, Pa., for New England Fire Ins. Co.

BARD, District Judge.

These are motions for summary judgment under Rule 56 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, 28 U.S.C.A. following section 723c, against two of the defendants, Thomas A. McPeak, individually and trading as McPeak Garment Carriers, and New England Fire Insurance Company.

Plaintiff brought this action against Thomas A. McPeak (agent) and McPeak Freight Lines, Inc. (principal), interstate common carriers by motor vehicle, for the loss of eight cartons and bags of children's dresses. Defendant carriers admit delivery of the goods to them, but deny that loss occurred through any dereliction of duty on their part, but rather that the loss was caused by theft. Defendants further deny that Thomas A. McPeak is the agent of McPeak Freight Lines, Inc., but is merely a lessee of certain trucks belonging to the corporation. The agency of Thomas A. McPeak is the sole issue of fact raised in the pleadings. However, since neither motion for judgment is directed against the McPeak Freight Lines, Inc., the question of fact raised is not material to these motions.

The liability of a common carrier for the loss of goods entrusted to it is that of an insurer unless the loss was caused by act of God or public enemy, by the inherent nature of the goods, or the fault of the owner. Villari v. Jones, 155 Pa.Super. 155, 38 A.2d 379; National Line S. S. Co. v. Smart, 107 Pa. 492. A common carrier, being in the nature of an insurer, is liable for goods lost or stolen while in its custody even though it is shown that the loss occurred through no fault or negligence of the carrier. Consolidated Cigar Corp. v. Corbin, 285 Pa. 273, 132 A. 364.

The summary judgment is intended to enable the prompt disposition of cases which do not require trial. Where the pleadings and affidavits indicate no genuine issue as to a material fact and where the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law on the facts as admitted, the motion must be granted. Mutual Life Ins. Co. of New York v. O'Donnell, D.C., 29 F.Supp. 1010. Defendant carrier's answer raises no material question of fact and provides no valid defense to the cause of action.

The motion for summary judgment against Thomas A. McPeak, individually and trading as McPeak Garment Carriers is granted.

The second motion for summary judgment is directed against the New England Fire Insurance Company. Liability is predicated on a motor truck cargo policy No. M. T. 16046 issued by the insurance company to defendant, Thomas A. McPeak. This is a standard motor truck cargo policy covering "dress material (no silks either in part or whole)" including the standard common carrier endorsement, Form UCPC-32, as required by the Public...