Section 37-2-19

Reparation.

(a) Where complaint has been made to the commission concerning any rate or other charge of any transportation company and the commission has found, after a hearing, that the transportation company has received an excessive or unjustly discriminatory amount on account of such rate or charge, the commission may order that the transportation company make due reparation to the complainant therefor, within a time to be designated in said order, together with interest at the legal rate from the date of receipt of such excessive or unjustly discriminatory amount. The commission shall also make and file in every case in which reparation is ordered to be paid a full finding of the material facts upon which the order is based. Reparation shall not be awarded in case of any rate which has been adjudged to be just and reasonable and otherwise lawful by the commission after investigation had upon due notice and hearing.

(b) If the transportation company does not comply with an order of the commission referred to in subsection (a) of this section, for the payment of money within the time fixed in such order, the complainant, or any person for whose benefit such order was made, may file in any court of competent jurisdiction a complaint setting forth briefly the causes for which he claims damages, and the findings and the order of the commission in the premises. Such action shall proceed in all respects like other civil actions for damages, except that on the trial of such suit in the findings and order of the commission shall be prima facie evidence of the facts therein stated. If the plaintiff shall finally prevail, he shall be allowed by the court a reasonable attorney's fee, to be taxed and collected as a part of the costs of the action.

(c) All complaints for the recovery of reparation because of a rate that is unjust or unreasonable or otherwise unlawful shall be filed with the commission within six months from the time of the payment of the full lawful charges.

(d) All complaints for the enforcement of an order of the commission for the payment of money under the provisions of subsections (a), (b) and (c) of this section shall be filed in the proper court within one year from the date of the order. The remedy provided in this section shall be cumulative, and in addition to any other remedy or remedies in this division provided in case of a failure of a transportation company to obey a rule, regulation, order or decision of the commission.

(Acts 1920, No. 42, p. 92; Code 1923, §§9722-9725; Code 1940, T. 48, §§124-127.)