§37-2-21. Bills of lading or receipts - When issued; contents; receipt for cotton in bales; common-law liability not affected.

(a) Every transportation company receiving property for transportation, originating and terminating in this state, shall issue to the shipper a receipt or bill of lading therefor in which shall be stated the class or classes of freight shipped and the rate to the point of destination and aggregate charge made for the transportation and shall be liable to the lawful holder thereof for any loss, damage or injury to such property negligently caused by it or by any transportation company to which said property may be delivered, or over whose lines such property may pass; and no contract, stipulation, receipt, rule or regulation contained in said receipt or bill of lading, or otherwise, shall exempt such transportation company from the liability hereby imposed; but nothing in this subsection shall deprive any holder of such receipt or bill of lading of any remedy or right of action which he has under existing laws.

(b) A transportation company receiving things or property of any kind for carriage, hire or reward must, on delivery to said company of such thing or property, give the person from whom received a receipt or bill of lading, stating the order or condition in which such things or property may be, and if cotton in bales is received, stating expressly the condition of the bagging, ropes, or ties, and of the cotton, whether dry, damp, wet, or very wet; and such transportation company is bound to deliver in like order and condition as when received; and if such receipt or bill of lading be not given, such things or property must be deemed and taken to have been in good order or condition at the time of delivery to such carrier, and he is bound to deliver in like good order and condition; and the carrier, neglecting or failing to give such receipt or bill of lading, is liable for all loss or damage the owner of such things or property may sustain in consequence of such neglect or failure, but nothing in this subsection contained must be construed as affecting the common-law liability of a common carrier for an injury to or for the loss of such things or property.

(Code 1867, §1883; Code 1876, §2139; Code 1886, §1174; Code 1896, §§4218, 5547; Code 1907, §§5546, 6131; Code 1923, §§10043, 10044, 10491; Code 1940, T. 48, §§129, 133.)