Moving
The following is excerpted from The Court TV Cradle-to-Grave Legal Survival Guide, an easy-to-read, in-depth explanation of the law as it affects all aspects of daily life. You can order the book, published by Little, Brown and Company, from our online store. It also is available in local bookstores, or you can call Little, Brown directly at (800) 333-3476.
Is a moving company responsible for goods that are lost or damaged during a move?
Generally, yes. The chance you will recover is greater if federal regulations apply to your move. These rules apply whenever a move is interstate, or when the movers travel on an interstate permit within a state -- as is the case with many large moving companies. These companies are highly regulated by the Interstate Commerce Commission, and they must give you a booklet approved by the ICC before the move, whether or not your move is within one state or from one to another. If they don't, they are liable for damages.If, however, you hire two college kids with a van to move your apartment from one side of town to another, most likely they won't give you any booklet, nor are they required to. Such freelance movers are unregulated and usually uninsured, so their liability is reduced (as well as the chance you have of recovering damages from them personally).
A professional mover is supposed to exercise a high degree of care with the items in its possession. Your biggest challenge (if your things are damaged or lost in a move) will be to establish that the damage occurred while the goods were in the mover's possession. If you can, keep an accurate inventory of the goods, including photographs of particularly expensive or valued items.
