§407 Order for payment of money; petition for enforcement; procedure; order of Commission as prima facie evidence; costs; attorneys’ fees

Summary

If a carrier does not pay an order on time, the person who got the order or who benefits from it can file a petition in federal district court where they live, where the carrier’s main office is, or where the carrier’s line runs, or in a state court that has general authority over the parties. The petition should briefly say why money is claimed and include the Commission’s order. The federal suit follows normal civil procedures, but the Commission’s findings and order will count as initial proof of the facts. The petitioner does not have to pay court costs in the district court or later stages unless those costs come from an appeal. If the petitioner finally wins, a reasonable lawyer’s fee will be added to the case costs and collected.