where to get a lawyer to sue a moving company for damaged furniture

FMCSA deals with the safety and management of moving and relocation companies. They also ensure that the company operates within the proper standards set for moving companies. You can file a complaint online or call them toll-free at (888) 368-7238.

Full Answer

What kind of lawyer do I need to sue a moving company?

You can retain an attorney who specializes in contracts as the moving company breached its contract by losing things and damaging things as well. It is also a tort against your personal property as well. So, you can get a tort attorney as well. * This will flag comments for moderators to take action. You need a civil litigator.

Can I sue a moving company for lost or damaged goods?

Most moving companies will have a neutral arbitration program to settle disputes due to lost or damaged goods. You should also ask the company about their requirements to process your claim, such as any request forms you need to submit specific to the moving company.

What to do if someone damages your belongings while moving?

If an item is broken and useless do not throw it away either. If the damages are likely to cause other negative consequences that should also be reported. If you have to clean up immediately after the damage take photos to prove it. And then talk to the moving company and inform them that you need to clean the mess up.

What evidence do you need to sue a moving company?

Hard copy documents, such as emails, contracts, bills, receipts, letters, and faxes, will act as key evidence to support your claim. They can provide a clear timeline of when you hired the moving company, when they moved your items, and when you discovered the items were damaged.

What happens if a moving company damages something?

In this type of coverage, the moving company can either have the item repaired so it is in the same condition as it was before being damaged or they can replace the item with another of like kind. Regardless of which insurance you purchased, you will still want to call your moving company and start the claims process.

How do I get my money back from a moving company?

File a complaint against a mover with the Better Business Bureau (BBB)After filing a complaint against a moving company, BBB sends the record to the company within two days.Next, the mover will be requested to reply within a 14-day period.More items...

How do I file a complaint against a moving company in Florida?

You may file a complaint against a mover or moving company with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services online at www.800helpfla.com or by phone at 1-800-HELP-FLA.

Can I dispute a charge from a moving company?

If a problem arises with your household goods carrier (mover), you should first attempt to work out an agreement to resolve the dispute. But if you and the mover are not able to agree, you have two options: Seek an arbitration hearing; or. Initiate legal action against your mover.

What can I do if I was scammed by a mover?

Report Fraud Consumers seeking to file a complaint against a household goods moving company, broker or other carrier may contact FMCSA's National Consumer Complaint Database online or toll-free at: 1-888-368-7238.

Is it common for moving companies to steal your stuff?

The most common scam in the moving industry is to hold your belongings “hostage” for additional payment. Although you've agreed to a contract for a specific amount, the mover demands hundreds or thousands more to release your item. Thousands of complaints get lodged against moving companies each year for this tactic.

How do I complain about a removal company?

Contact your mover Contact the business in writing, if possible, (we recommend recorded delivery) or email, making clear the following: What you believe the business has not done as per the contract/quote.

Can a moving company holding my stuff hostage?

Can movers hold your stuff hostage? No, movers aren't allowed to hold your things hostage if you've paid 100% of the estimated costs outlined on your binding estimate or 110% of the estimated costs on your non-binding estimate.

Which load board allows you to write a complaint on a broker?

You can file a complaint by clicking on the following link: https://nccdb.fmcsa.dot.gov/nccdb/home.aspx Once you have filed a complaint against the broker, the FMCSA will assign your complaint to a DOT agent who will reach out to you and begin to investigate the complaint.

How do I file a moving company claim in Texas?

Mover Complaints If you feel that your mover is not complying within the rules and regulations set out by the State of Texas you can file a complaint with TxDMV against a mover in several ways: Use our automated Complaint Management System (CMS) Let us know via e-mail. Call our consumer helpline at (888) 368-4689.

How to make a claim against a moving company?

In order to make a claim against your moving company for damages to your items during the move, you should first collect evidence of the damage so you can use this evidence to support your claim. You will then need to draft the claim and file it within the appropriate time to ensure your claim is processed. Steps.

What to do if you are not satisfied with a moving company's settlement offer?

Consider small claims court if you are not satisfied with the moving company’s settlement offer. If the moving company offers you an insufficient settlement offer or refuses to cover the cost of the damages to your belongings, you may consider taking the company to small claims court .

How long does it take for a moving company to respond to a claim?

Give the moving company 30 days to respond to your claim. According to the law, the moving company must notify you that they have received your claim within 30 days of its filing. The claim must then be resolved by a damages payment or a denial of payment within 120 days.

What is the phone number to complain about a mover?

The hotline can be reached at (888) 268-7238, open Monday-Friday, 9:00 am-7:00 pm EST. ...

How long does it take to file a claim for a moving company?

1. File the claim form within nine months of the mover’s delivery date. Most moving companies will provide a claim form you to complete and submit to them for review via mail. You must file the claim form within nine months of the mover’s delivery date for the claim to be recognized and processed.

How to strengthen a claim?

To strengthen your claim, you should examine each damaged item and make an inventory of each item. Then, you should try to determine their monetary value, or how much you paid for each item.

What to do if you don't have a full name for a moving company?

If any persons from the moving company do not provide their full name, ask them for their employee ID number. Save all hard copy documents from the moving company. Hard copy documents, such as emails, contracts, bills, receipts, letters, and faxes, will act as key evidence to support your claim.

What to do if your claim goes nowhere?

If your claim goes nowhere, the first step is to file a complaint and summons with the local county court.

Where do you get a complaint served?

The complaint and summons get served to the moving company or their registered agent. Depending on where you live, it may be through a process server, delivered personally, or sent through the mail. Defendants (the moving company) receives time to file an answer with the court.

What happens if a lawsuit goes to trial?

If a settlement does occur, it becomes a binding agreement to all parties. If the lawsuit does go to trial, a judge or jury decides the merits of the cast. Although enforcing that order creates another set of legal issues to consider, the losing party will pay on the judgment.

What does discovery do in a lawsuit?

What Does Discovery Do During a Lawsuit? The discovery portion of a lawsuit allows you and the moving company to request information. This process may include documents, answers to questions, or other pertinent data to resolve the issue.

Why do you need an attorney on retainer?

Having an attorney on retainer ensures that you have representation in court if your lawsuit reaches that level. Filing a lawsuit can be a difficult choice, even if you believe a moving company breached the contract. It takes time, effort, and more money to recover what you consider an economic loss.

Can you sue a moving company for economic loss?

If you’ve had an unfortunate experience that caused you to suffer economic loss, one of the ways you can potentially recover financially is to sue the moving company in question for damages. Some of the typical reasons for a lawsuit include possession damage or loss, lack of services provided, or another breach of contract.

Can a lawsuit go to mediation?

Most lawsuits proceed into mediation, intending to settle outside of the court, including those filed in small claims court. Some courts require you and the moving company to meet with a mediator before allowing a lawsuit to proceed to trial. If a settlement does occur, it becomes a binding agreement to all parties.

What happens if a moving company refuses to unload your stuff?

They might threaten to bring your belongings back to your old address. Or to put them in storage and charge you even more for it. But, if you’ve signed a binding estimate, you don’t have to pay anything extra. As long as you were honest that is. And in those cases, the moving company is in violation of both the contract and the law. If they threaten you with extra charges and refuse to hand over your belongings, you should consider calling the police.

What happens if you don't get insurance for your belongings?

And so, they sign the moving paperwork without looking at it. And that’s what can cause a problem if there are any damaged items. If you don’t get extra insurance for your belongings, their value is tied to their weight. And that means that no matter how much your item costs, you’ll only get 60 cents per pound of weight. Those cents on the dollar in most scenarios. And in that case, you have no grounds for a lawsuit. Same as when you sign a document stating that you received your belongings in good condition. Without checking everything first. It will be very hard to prove otherwise after a few days when you unpack them.

Michael Leo Potter

You may have a case for both fraud and breach of contract. Immediately contact a Litigation Attorney in Valdosta and seek an injunction and monetary relief. Good Luck !!

Charles I. Pollack

I'm not sure why a bankruptcy attorney or an estate planning attorney - neither of whom are located in Georgia - would be responding. Please note that there are different types of estimates within the moving/shipping industry; and the movers/shippers are subject to the rules and regulations of the...

Robert A. Stumpf

A lawyer that deals with consumer issues, would likely have dealt with moving company fraud. It's unfortunately pretty common.

How to file a claim for a damaged item?

Worst-case scenario, you might have no choice besides filing a claim after your move is complete. You might not be reimbursed for the full value of the damaged item, says My Moving Reviews. But the more information you provide the better your chances. The process shouldn’t be difficult, as most movers use a standardized form. Here’s how to go about it: 1 Notify the mover of damage right away. 2 Gather evidence that proves damage. Take photos and don’t throw away anything. 3 Fill out the mover’s claim form as soon as possible. My Moving Reviews suggests that you have about 9 months to file, but the sooner the better. 4 Enter information about what was damaged, the inventory number of the item, how the item was damaged (was it dropped?), whether the packaging was also damaged, how much you paid for the damaged item, the value of the item on the day it was damaged, and include photographs. 5 Keep the damaged item until after the claim is settled. 6 If the item has come up missing, give the same information to the best of your ability.

What to do if your item is missing?

If the item has come up missing, give the same information to the best of your ability. Reputable movers are known for responsible labor and careful transit. Check the credentials, such as licensing and insurance, of every mover that you consider.

How to protect yourself from loss?

One of the most important things you can do to protect yourself against loss is to inventory your belongings beforehand and take photos. Sometimes a carton disappears between the origination and destination. Again, accidents happen. And sometimes a favorite possession gets broken.

Who is responsible for denting drywall?

When there’s damage to the home, either the one you’re moving to or from, the mover is usually responsible. Heavy furniture, awkward boxes and long days at work can add up to dented drywall or a scuff across the floor.

Is moving easy?

Moving is never easy, and it’s rarely simple. One dropped box can turn everyone’s mood afoul. But with efficient record keeping, you can build a strong case for reimbursement. Movers know that damage happens, and they already have measures in place to cover it when the blame lands on them.

Do moving companies have insurance?

Moving companies, at least the reputable ones, have insurance. And that protects both you and them. From the mover’s point of view, it safeguards their business against devastation in the case of a major claim. Accidents happen. For you, it provides reimbursement in the event of loss or damage.

Can you be held responsible for moving boxes?

If movers packed up all of your belongings, you should bear no responsibility for damage that happened en route. However, if you packed the boxes and movers only picked them up, they might be held blameless. Caveat: If you packed a box and the movers clearly damaged it you probably have an argument for reimbursement.

What to do if your moving company broke your item?

If it is a broken item, keep it like this and do not fix it because if you do you will not be eligible for any reimbursement from the moving company. If an item is broken and useless do not throw it away either. If the damages are likely to cause other negative consequences that should also be reported.

How to fill in moving damages?

Filling in moving damages claims. When you spot a damage, inform the movers of it right away. If, before the move, you have taken evidence of all of your property – what you have and in what condition it is, you should have no trouble with moving damages claims. All the pictures taken and/ or video of your possessions plus an inventory sheet ...

How long do you have to fill out a damage claim?

Usually you have up to 9 months after the relocation to fill in the movers’ damage claim form and for the mover to receive it, but it’s best to do it as soon as you spot the damage. Then you will have to fill in the movers damage claim form. It is a standard form that all removals have. Moving companies deal with damages ...

When you spot a damage, should you immediately inform the movers?

When you spot a damage, you should immediately inform the movers as well as the moving company. This is not part of the claims against movers but it is a start – if the movers confirm to the moving company that there is a damage that will speed up the claims process. Notifying the movers is the first things to do.

Can you fill in movers claim?

Filling in movers’ claim is certainly not what you expect from a move but in any case you better do it if a damage occurs. When someone else has caused an item to be broken, walls to be scratched, etc. you have the right to ask for reimbursement. Unpleasant as this process might be, you better settle it with the moving company.

Can moving companies make mistakes?

Much as everyone may wish that their move goes well (in almost all cases they do!) sometimes movers make mistakes. As much as moving companies may be professionals, the moving labor may cause damages to your property. It could be from negligence or incompetence as well as out of carelessness in few cases. Either way, when there are damages caused ...

Can you get money back from a moving company?

Once you have filed the movers’ claim and the damages were inspected, the moving company will inform you will you get any money back, if yes, how much and when. Of course you can negotiate what you will get back. In any case be ready that you may not receive the full value of what was damaged.

2 attorney answers

Is there a written contract? Does it address the issue of damage to items moved? Do you have an inventory of items moved, complete with a description of condition at origin? Is there any insurance? You may be out of luck. I worked for reputable furniture movers during my college summers.

Ted Zink Jr

Interstate moving companies are a major scam. I wish I could give you better news, but there is none.

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