A New Jersey court has affirmed a ruling against J.B. Hunt Transport Services in a negligence case involving Mecca & Sons Trucking Corp. The court's decision, made on November 4, 2026, comes after a lengthy legal battle over a shipment of dietary fiber that was deemed unusable due to a broken seal. The ruling is significant as it highlights the responsibilities of transport companies regarding the integrity of shipments.

The case, Mecca & Sons Trucking Corp. v. J.B. Hunt Transport Services, was filed under docket number A-0731-25. It began when Mecca hired J.B. Hunt to transport a container of Fibersol from New Jersey to Illinois. Upon arrival, the container was rejected due to a broken seal, leading to a claim for damages by Mecca. The court's ruling affects transport companies and shippers by clarifying liability in cases of negligence related to shipping practices.

Background

Mecca & Sons Trucking Corp. (Mecca) entered into a contract in 2016 with ADM Logistics to transport a container of Fibersol, a soluble dietary fiber, from New Jersey to Decatur, Illinois. Mecca then retained J.B. Hunt Transport Services (J.B. Hunt) to handle the transportation. On August 23, 2016, J.B. Hunt took possession of the sealed container, which was noted to be in good order when received.

Upon arrival in Illinois on August 30, the container was rejected by Parke Toll Packaging because the seal was broken. Parke Toll, which deals with food products, has a strict policy of rejecting shipments with broken seals. Consequently, the Fibersol was deemed unusable and destroyed. Mecca filed a claim with J.B. Hunt, but the company denied responsibility, leading to a lawsuit.

The legal dispute escalated when ADM filed a breach of contract suit against Mecca in Illinois. The parties eventually settled, with Mecca paying $63,425 to ADM without an assignment of ADM's interest. Mecca then filed a negligence claim against J.B. Hunt, which was initially removed to federal court. The federal court ruled that Mecca lacked standing under the Carmack Amendment, which governs liability for carriers in interstate commerce, and remanded the case to state court.

The Ruling

On remand, the New Jersey Superior Court Appellate Division reviewed the case and ultimately ruled in favor of Mecca, affirming the $63,425 judgment against J.B. Hunt. The court found that J.B. Hunt breached its duty of care by breaking the seal on the container before delivery. The judges noted, "Mecca adequately established the requisite standard of care in the industry" and that J.B. Hunt's actions constituted a breach of that standard.

The ruling also emphasized that Mecca proved damages through the testimony of Peggy Mecca, who confirmed the monetary value of the shipment. The court stated, "The rejection of the shipment based on the broken seal resulted in damages to Mecca," allowing them to recover the full value of the Fibersol shipment.

Impact

This ruling has important implications for the transportation industry, particularly regarding the responsibilities of carriers in ensuring the integrity of shipments. It reinforces the idea that transport companies can be held liable for negligence if they fail to adhere to industry standards, such as maintaining the security of seals on containers. The decision may influence how transport companies manage their operations and the measures they take to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Furthermore, the ruling clarifies the legal standing of shippers in negligence claims, particularly when dealing with issues related to the Carmack Amendment. The court's decision indicates that a shipper can pursue a negligence claim even if they do not have standing under the Carmack Amendment, provided they can demonstrate a breach of duty and resultant damages.

What's Next

J.B. Hunt may consider appealing this decision, although the court's ruling was based on established legal principles and prior findings. The case serves as a reminder for transport companies to ensure compliance with industry standards and maintain the integrity of shipments to avoid potential legal repercussions.