JACKSONVILLE – A wholesale food distribution company and its insurer are seeking damages from a Jacksonville shipping company over allegations it damaged a shipment of meat.
Plaza Provision Co. and Universal Insurance Co. Inc. filed a complaint on Oct. 3 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Jacksonville Division against Sea Star Line LLC, doing business as Tote Maritime, alleging that the cargo vessel breached its duty under the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act.
According to the complaint, in April 2015, Plaza Provision Co. entered into a contract of ocean carriage with Sea Star, under which defendant agreed to transport Plaza's purchased containerized refrigerated meat products from Jacksonville to San Juan, Puerto Rico. The suit states the defendant was to maintain the container in a temperature of no higher than 33 degrees Fahrenheit, however, upon arrival at destination, the plaintiff's representatives noted that the temperature had risen above the required setting. An inspection allegedly determined that the meat products were unfit for human consumption, as a result, Universal was obligated to compensate Plaza for its loss under a cargo insurance policy, with fair market value of $105,725.90.
The plaintiffs hold Sea Star Line LLC responsible because the defendant allegedly breached its contract of a proper ocean carriage and failed to maintain container temperature at acceptable limits during the voyage.
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek judgment against defendant, damages in an amount of $105,725.90 plus interest, costs of action and further relief as the court may deem proper. They are represented by Robert A. Craven of Law Office of Robert A. Craven in St. Petersburg.
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Jacksonville Case number 3:16-cv-01261