Fitzsimons v. Milner
Fitzsimons v. Milner
Opinion of the Court
That a wharfinger is not liable for a loss to the same extent that a carrier is, is, I think, true ; Theob. ed.' of Jones on Bailm. 97, note; But that there is any other difference as to their rights and liabilities, I am not aware. Both are entitled to be paid for their services, and both have a lien on the goods. This seems to point to the solution -of the question in this case ; for where there is no debt, there is no lien. To whom did the goods belong ? To the defendant-, is the answer. Could he have moved them from the wharf, without paying the wharfinger’s fees ? There can be no doubt that he could not. Why? Because he owed for their custody and care, and the wharfinger, in respect to that, had a lien. Permitting the goods to go without' enforcing the lien, did not pay the debt; the lien was discharged, the debt remained. That it is the rule of law, as well as custom, for the consignee to pay the wharfinger, may, I think, be
Here the factor shipping the goods for the defendant, did not pay. the plaintiff, although the defendant paid him; and as .the 'plaintiff’s debt remains unsatisfied, it follows, it it seems to me, that the defendant must pay it. The motion to reverse the decision below is dismissed.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.