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HomePublic Utilities CodeDiv. 4Ch. 1Art. 6§ 7631 Railroad Liability For Livestock

§ 7631 Railroad Liability For Livestock

Public Utilities Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 7631 Railroad Liability For Livestock

Key Takeaways

  • •If a railroad doesn't follow the rules, the only punishment is paying the owner for hurt or killed animals.
  • •The railroad doesn't have to pay if the animal's owner was careless and caused the problem.
  • •Only the railroad company pays, not the workers or bosses.

Example

A farmer's cow gets hit by a train because the railroad didn't fix a broken fence like they were told to.

The railroad has to pay the farmer what the cow was worth, but nothing else happens to them. If the farmer left the gate open and the cow wandered onto the tracks, the railroad doesn’t have to pay.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 7631 Railroad Liability For Livestock

The failure of any railroad corporation to comply with any order of the commission authorized by this article shall not subject it, or any of its officers, agents, or employees, to any penalty other than payment by the railroad corporation to the owner of the maimed or killed cattle, or other domestic animals of a fair market price for the animals. Nothing in this article requires a railroad corporation to pay for the maiming or killing of any cattle or domestic animals where the maiming or killing resulted from the neglect or fault of the owner of the animals. (Enacted by Stats. 1951, Ch. 764.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

corporationcommissionpenaltyemployeeinjurydeathroadcattle or

Related Statutes

  • § 7627 Railroad Fence Liability Exemption
  • § 7607 Locomotive Headlight Requirements
  • § 7608 Railroad First Aid Kits
  • § 7611 Railroad First-Aid Kit Misuse
  • § 7628 Railroad Fencing For Livestock

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Public Utilities Code. Section 7631.
View Official Source