(1) It is the duty of every common carrier to transport all shipments between points in this state with the utmost diligence and to move perishable products toward their destination continuously without unnecessary delays or longer stops than regular stops at stations or stops for icing or watering and at a minimum speed of not less than ten miles per hour; but excessive storms, unavoidable accidents, or damage to roadbeds which delay such shipments beyond the power of the common carrier to immediately overcome shall exempt such common carrier from compliance with the minimum speed limit, until such storms subside or such damage can be expeditiously repaired.
(2) For failure of any common carrier to receive and transport such shipments with the utmost diligence, such common carrier issuing the receipt or bill of lading therefor shall pay to the owner, consignee, or other interested party whose interests may appear, such actual damages as the owner, consignee, or other interested party may sustain, and the same may be sued for and be recovered in any court of competent jurisdiction in the district in which the plaintiff resides.
Source: L. 07: p. 544, § 26. R.S. 08: § 5470. L. 10: p. 62, § 25. C.L. § 2996. CSA: C. 29, § 19. CRS 53: § 115-12-5. C.R.S. 1963: § 115-12-5.