§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 for money on time, the complainant or anyone the order was meant to help can sue. They can bring the case in the federal district court where they live, where the carrier’s main office is, where the carrier’s line runs, or in a state court that can hear the case. The lawsuit should explain briefly why money is owed and include the Commission’s order. The Commission’s findings count as initial proof in the trial. The person who sues does not have to pay court costs in the federal trial or later stages unless those costs come from their own appeal. If the person ultimately wins, the court will allow a reasonable lawyer’s fee and add it to the case costs.