(a) Whenever any property is received by a common carrier to be transferred from one place to another, within or without this state, or when a railroad or other transportation company issues receipts or bills of lading in this state, the common carrier, railroad, or transportation company issuing the receipt or bill of lading shall be liable for any loss or damage or injury to the property caused by its negligence or the negligence of any other common carrier, railroad, or transportation company to which the property may pass.
(b) The common carrier, railroad, or transportation company issuing any receipt or bill of lading shall be entitled to recover, in a proper action, the amount of any loss, damage, or injury it may be required to pay to the owner of the property, from the common carrier, railroad, or transportation company through whose negligence the loss, damage, or injury may be sustained.