J. STEVEN STAFFORD, J., delivered the opinion of the court, in which ALAN E. HIGHERS, P.J., W.S., and HOLLY M. KIRBY, J., joined.
This action arises from an agreement between Appellant Mark VII Transportation
Appellant, Mark VII Transportation Co. ("Mark VII"), is a motor carrier property broker that arranges for the transportation of property for its customer shippers. Mark VII is not a motor carrier itself; instead, it selects carriers and routes for the shipments of its customers. Appellee Responsive Trucking, Inc. ("Responsive") was one of the motor carriers that Mark VII utilized.
Mark VII and Responsive were parties to an agreement entitled "Contract Motor Carrier Agreement." ("the Agreement"). It included the following provisions which are relevant to this dispute:
Hasbro/Milton Bradley ("Hasbro") is a manufacturer of games and toys. It ships toys from its factory in East Long Meadow, Massachusetts to various retailers throughout the United States. Mark VII arranged for the transportation of toys with Responsive as the initial carrier.
Between June 2000 and November 2002, many of those shipments were allegedly short shipped, meaning that not all the toys that were designated for shipping were delivered at the destination. Responsive's agents or employees loaded each of the shipments at issue. The parties dispute which party, if any, had the responsibility to count the items delivered for shipping. However, Responsive did not have anyone count the items shipped. In each transaction, Responsive's employee would acknowledge the receipt of a specified quantity of toys by signing the bill of lading for each shipment. Once the shipments were loaded, the trailers were then sealed and a guard would check the seal upon leaving the Hasbro property. All the seals remained intact until the toys were delivered. Cynthia Herring, vice president of Responsive testified that the shortages could have occurred during loading or unloading, either before the seal was placed on the trailer or after it was removed.
Hasbro made a claim against Mark VII for each of the short shipments. Based on the agreement, Mark VII made a claim against Responsive for the short shipments. Responsive refused to pay any of
Both Mark VII and Responsive filed motions for summary judgment. The trial court denied Mark VII's motion for summary judgment finding that material issues of fact existed. The trial court granted Responsive's motion for summary judgment. Mark VII appeals the grant of summary judgment to Responsive and the denial of its motion for summary judgment.
Mark VII raises the following issues for our review:
1. Is Responsive liable for the short shipments under the standard of the Carmack Amendment?
2. Is Responsive liable for the claims for breach of its contract to indemnify?
3. Did the trial court err in granting Responsive's motion for summary judgment?
4. Did the trial court err in denying Mark VII's motion for summary judgment?
A trial court's decision to grant a motion for summary judgment presents a question of law. Our review is therefore de novo with no presumption of correctness afforded to the trial court's determination. Bain v. Wells, 936 S.W.2d 618, 622 (Tenn.1997). In evaluating the trial court's decision to grant summary judgment, we review the evidence in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party and draw all reasonable inferences in the nonmoving party's favor. Mooney v. Sneed, 30 S.W.3d 304, 305-06 (Tenn.2000); Byrd v. Hall, 847 S.W.2d 208, 210-11 (Tenn. 1993).
When a motion for summary judgment is made, the moving party has the burden of showing that "there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law." Tenn. R. Civ. P. 56.04. If the moving party's motion is properly supported, "The burden of production then shifts to the nonmoving party to show that a genuine issue of material fact exists." Hannan v. Alltel Publ'g Co., 270 S.W.3d 1, 5 (Tenn.2008) (citing Byrd, 847 S.W.2d at 215). In order to shift the burden of production, "the moving party must either affirmatively negate an essential element of the nonmoving party's claim or establish an affirmative defense." Hannan, 270 S.W.3d at 5. However, "[i]t is not enough for the moving party to challenge the nonmoving party to `put up or shutup' or even to cast doubt on a party's ability to prove an element at trial." Id. at 8. Instead, the moving party has the more difficult task of demonstrating "that the nonmoving party cannot establish an essential element of the claim at trial." Id. at 7.
The interpretation of a contract is a question of law and not a question of fact. Pitt v. Tyree Org., Ltd., 90 S.W.3d 244, 252 (Tenn.Ct.App.2002). When interpreting a contract, the court's aim is to ascertain and give effect to the parties' intent. Harrell v. Minnesota Mut. Life Ins., 937 S.W.2d 809 (Tenn.1996). Each provision must be construed in light of the entire agreement, and the language in each provision must be given its natural and ordinary meaning. Buettner v. Buettner, 183 S.W.3d 354, 359 (Tenn.Ct.App.
Responsive contends that the agreement limits Mark VII's potential recovery to indemnification under paragraph 13 because Mark VII has already paid Hasbro's claims. Mark VII asserts that it is entitled to seek recovery under either paragraph 10 or paragraph 13 of the agreement, i.e. either for breach of contract or for indemnification. The trial court agreed with Mark VII's position but ultimately ruled that Mark VII failed to prove its claim under either provision.
Responsive also argues that the paragraphs are in conflict and therefore the more specific (paragraph 13) must govern. The agreement, however, does not limit Mark VII to an exclusive remedy. Furthermore, the two provisions are not in conflict. Paragraph 10 merely sets forth the standard of liability agreed to by the parties. Mark VII has alleged that the toys were lost by Responsive and paragraph 10 provides a remedy for that situation. The agreement also requires Responsive to indemnify Mark VII for claims related to the toys shipped. Therefore, Mark VII may assert a claim under both paragraph 10 and 13.
Mark VII relies on paragraph 10 of the contract as the basis for its claim against Responsive for the value of the lost toys. Paragraph 10 states that the Carmack Amendment, 49 U.S.C. § 14706 provides the standard of liability by which the parties conduct would be judged. The contract further provides that liability for loss or damage to cargo "shall commence upon loading and continue until unloading at destination." The trial court found that Mark VII could not establish the elements of a claim under the Carmack Amendment standard of liability.
Responsive initially argues that the Carmack Amendment is not applicable. It asserts that because Mark VII is a "broker" and not a "shipper" the Carmack Amendment is inapplicable and therefore does not provide Mark VII with a basis of recovery. See Edwards Bros., Inc. v. Overdrive Logistics, Inc., 260 Ga.App. 222, 581 S.E.2d 570 (2003). Responsive is correct in asserting that Mark VII does not have a cause of action under the Carmack Agreement. However, the contract provides that the Carmack Amendment's standard of liability would apply to the agreement.
The Carmack Amendment provides a statutory right to shippers to recover for damages to their property caused by carriers involved in shipment. It imposes liability on a carrier when property is transported in the United States under a bill of lading. 49 U.S.C § 14706. "The purpose of the Carmack Amendment [is] to relieve shippers of the burden of searching out a particular negligent carrier from among the often numerous carriers handling an interstate shipment of goods." Reider v. Thompson, 339 U.S. 113, 119, 70 S.Ct. 499, 94 L.Ed. 698 (1950). The Carmack Amendment permits "a shipper in interstate commerce to bring an action against the initial carrier to recover for damages to the shipment whether such damages occurred while the goods were in
To establish a prima facie case against a carrier under the Carmack Amendment, a plaintiff must prove: (1) delivery of the goods to the carrier in good condition, (2) receipt by the consignee of a lesser quantity of goods at the destination and (3) damages. Beta Spawn, Inc. v. FFE Transp. Servs., Inc., 250 F.3d 218, 223 (3rd Cir.2001). If the plaintiff establishes a prima facie case, the burden shifts to the carrier to show that it was free from negligence and that the damage to the cargo was due to one of the excepted causes relieving the carrier of liability. Plough v. Mason & Dixon Lines, 630 F.2d 468, 470 (6th Cir.1980). Upon making a prima facie case, an inference of negligence on the part of the carrier arises. Id.
The trial court determined that Mark VII failed to establish the first element of its claim under the Carmack Amendment. The parties agree that elements two and three have been established. Accordingly, our analysis focuses on whether the toys where delivered to Responsive in good condition. The trial court found that the bills of lading did not establish delivery. It also found that Responsive did not have a duty to count the items delivered for shipping.
Mark VII relied on the bills of lading signed by the Responsive employees as proof of delivery of the toys in good condition. Indeed, a prima facie showing of delivery in good condition may be made through a bill of lading. Kaiser Aluminum & Chem. Corp. v. Ill. Cent. Gulf R.R. Co., 615 F.2d 470, 475 (8th Cir.1980); see also Pac. Employers Ins. Co. v. M/V Gloria, 767 F.2d 229, 242 (5th Cir.1985); Blue Bird Food Prods. Co. v. Baltimore & Ohio R.R. Co., 474 F.2d 102, 104 (3rd Cir.1973). Mark VII relies on Johnson & Johnson v. Chief Freight Lines Co., 679 F.2d 421 (5th Cir.1982), to support its contention that the bills of lading establish a prima facie case that the toys were delivered in good condition. In Johnson & Johnson, the court held that
Id. The Johnson & Johnson court further noted that unless the "shipper load and count or similar notations appear on the face of the bill of lading," a presumption should be established that the damage was not caused by the shipper and the carrier "should have the affirmative burden" of establishing the shipper caused the loss. Id.; see also Allied Tube & Conduit Corp. v. Southern Pacific Transp. Co., 211 F.3d 367, 369 (7th Cir.2000) and Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie R.R. v. Metal-Matic, Inc., 323 F.2d 903, 905 (8th Cir. 1963).
The trial court, however, relied on The Pillsbury Co. v. Ill. Cent. Gulf R.R., 687 F.2d 241 (8th Cir.1982), to support its finding that the bills of lading were insufficient to establish delivery. In Pillsbury, the
The trial court further reasoned that Responsive was only responsible for loading the toys on the trucks and that Hasbro was responsible for counting the toys. Hasbro provided Responsive with preprinted bills of lading purportedly listing the quantity of the toys. Responsive did not verify the amount of toys delivered. Responsive simply loaded the trailers, sealed them and delivered the merchandise to the appropriate location. The seal placed on each shipment at issue, remained intact until delivery.
Mark VII asserts that as a matter of law, Responsive had the duty to count the toys it loaded. It bases this assertion on the presumption that without some notation, the toys listed on the bills of lading were shipped in good condition. Johnson & Johnson, 679 F.2d at 422. Mark VII argues that because the bills of lading did not contain the notation "shipper's load and count" or similar notation, we are to presume that the carrier is liable for any difference between what the bills of lading show and what was delivered. However, the trial court specifically noted that the bills of lading and loading sheets introduced in this case are incomplete and illegible. We have conducted our own independent review of the bills of lading and are unable to determine what items were delivered for shipping. Because we are unable to determine the amount of merchandise listed on the bills of lading, we are unable to determine if all the toys claimed were delivered to Responsive in good condition. Consequently, a material fact remains in dispute and summary judgment is inappropriate.
Part (b) of Paragraph 13 of the agreement, requires Responsive to indemnify Mark VII from and against any claims "for damage of the goods of Mark VII's customer while under the care, custody, or control of" Responsive. This is required regardless of the cause of the damage, including the negligence of Mark VII's customer.
We have concluded that we are unable to determine the number of toys delivered to Responsive for shipping. Since we are unable to determine what was delivered for shipping it is equally apparent that we are also unable to determine when the alleged loss occurred.
It is self evident that a material factual dispute exists regarding when the loss incurred in this case. Each party alleges that it occurred when some other entity had control of the goods. This is a crucial factor that must be first determined before
Mark VII also filed a Motion for Summary Judgment which the trial court denied. We previously pointed out the existence of material factual disputes that make the grant of summary judgment inappropriate for Responsive. These very same factual disputes make an award of summary judgment equally inappropriate for Mark VII as well. "Summary judgment proceedings have never been envisioned as substitutes for trials of disputed factual issues." Martin v. Norfolk Southern Railway Company, 271 S.W.3d 76, 89 (Tenn.2008) (Koch, J., concurring).
EVCO Corporation v. Ross, 528 S.W.2d 20, 24-25 (Tenn.1975).
We find no error in the order of the trial court denying the Motion for Summary Judgment filed by Mark VII.
In summary, we find that Mark VII may pursue its theories of recovery under paragraph 10 of the parties agreement, based on the Carmack Amendment's standard of liability and under paragraph 13 of the agreement for indemnification. We, however, find that disputed material issues of fact remain on both the Carmack Amendment cause of action and the indemnification cause of action that preclude the granting of summary judgment for either party.
The judgment of the trial court granting summary judgment to Responsive is reversed. The judgment of the trial court denying summary judgment to Mark VII is affirmed. The costs of this cause are taxed one-half to the Appellant, Mark VII Transportation Co. Inc. and its surety and one-half to the Appellee, Responsive Trucking.