§407 Order for Payment of Money; Petition for Enforcement; Procedure; Order of Commission as Prima Facie Evidence; Costs; Attorneys’ Fees

Summary

If a carrier fails to pay an ordered sum on time, the person meant to get the money can file a petition in a U.S. district court (where they live, where the carrier’s main office is, or where its line runs) or in a state court that handles general cases. The petition must briefly state the damage claim and include the Commission’s order. The case goes forward like other damage suits. The Commission’s findings count as initial proof of the facts. The petitioner normally does not have to pay district-court costs or later costs unless those costs come from the petitioner’s appeal. If the petitioner wins, a reasonable attorney’s fee may be added to the costs.