Freight Claims Filing and Follow-Up
Freight Claims Filing & Follow-Up Desk — Done Properly.
End-to-end cargo claim documentation, OS&D inspection handling, carrier cargo insurance liability enforcement, formal claim filing, and aggressive settlement recovery.
Key Performance Indicators & SLAs
System Architecture & Execution Pipeline
OS&D Discovery & Intake
Immediate receipt of Over, Short, or Damaged notations from receiver BOLs, delivery photos, or driver reports.
Evidence Gathering & Damage Survey
Securing signed delivery receipts, manufacturer cost invoices, salvage valuation logs, and temperature recorder downloads.
Carrier Liability Assessment
Reviewing Carmack Amendment provisions, carrier bill of lading terms, and shipper instructions to establish legal liability.
Formal Standard Form Claim Filing
Drafting and formally serving standard freight claim packets to carrier claims departments and cargo insurance adjusters.
Bi-Weekly Follow-Up & Settlement Recovery
Relentless follow-up, counter-defense against liability disclaimers, salvage recovery, and collection of settlement funds.
Core Modules & Scope
Complete Evidence Packet Assembly
Compiling pristine evidentiary packets with certified BOLs, delivery photos, inspection reports, and repair estimates.
Salvage & Mitigation Administration
Documenting salvage sales or destroyed product certificates to establish exact legally recoverable net loss.
Cargo Insurance Adjuster Liaison
Direct negotiation with insurance adjusters and carrier risk managers to defeat common 'Act of God' or 'Shipper Load & Count' excuses.
Claims Pipeline & Recovery Tracking
Real-time dashboard showing status of open claims, pending settlement offers, paid claims, and outstanding balances.
Delivery Framework
Incident Intake & Document Collection
Collect BOL, OS&D report, photos, and commercial invoices immediately after delivery exception is reported.
Formal Claim Packet Preparation
Draft standard freight claim letter specifying dollar amount claimed, liability rationale, and supporting evidence.
Service & Carrier Acknowledgment
Formally serve carrier and insurance company, confirming written receipt within statutory 30-day window.
Resolution & Settlement Collection
Negotiate settlement, secure check release, and audit payout against agreed settlement sum.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a shipper have to file a freight claim?
Under the Carmack Amendment (49 U.S.C. § 14706), claimants have a minimum of 9 months from delivery date to file a written claim. However, our desk files within 48 to 72 hours to maximize recovery chances.
How do you overcome 'Shipper Load & Count' (SLC) defenses?
We establish evidence of carrier presence at loading, intact trailer seals verified at delivery, temperature recorder download data, and impact sensor readings to demonstrate transit negligence.
Can you file claims directly with the carrier's insurance company?
Yes. If a carrier becomes unresponsive or attempts to evade liability, we invoke certificate of insurance rights and file directly with their primary cargo underwriter.
Do you handle concealed damage claims?
Yes. Concealed damage must be reported within 5 business days of delivery. We act immediately to secure inspection and document that packaging was undamaged externally.