49 U.S.C. § 80111 — Liability for delivery of goods

(a) General Rules — A common carrier is liable for damages to whoever has title to, or the right to possess, goods when: (1) the carrier delivers the goods to someone not entitled to them, unless the delivery was allowed under section 80110(b)(2) or (3) of this title; (2) the carrier delivers under section 80110(b)(2) or (3) after being asked, by or for the rightful owner or possessor, not to; or (3) at the time of delivery under section 80110(b)(2) or (3), the carrier had information showing it was delivering to the wrong person. (b) Effectiveness of Request or Information — A request or piece of information only counts under subsection (a)(2) or (3) if (1) an officer or agent of the carrier whose authority covers acting on it was given the request or information, and (2) that officer or agent had time, using reasonable diligence, to stop the delivery. (c) Failure To Take and Cancel Bills — Except as subsection (d) provides, if a carrier delivers goods covered by a negotiable bill without taking back and canceling the bill, the carrier is liable for failing to deliver to anyone who bought the bill for value in good faith — whether before or after delivery, even if delivery went to the person actually entitled to the goods. The carrier is also liable if it delivers only part of the goods without canceling the bill or clearly noting on it that a partial delivery happened and describing what was delivered or what's left. (d) Exceptions to Liability — A carrier is not liable for failing to deliver to the consignee, owner, or bill holder if: (1) the delivery described in subsection (c) was forced by legal process; (2) the goods were lawfully sold to satisfy the carrier's lien; (3) the goods went unclaimed; or (4) the goods are perishable or hazardous.