Claimants are requested to make use of this form for filing claims with carriers. Claims may be filed with the carrier’s agent at the point of origin or destination of shipments, or directly with the Claim Department of the carrier, and will be considered properly presented only when the information and documents called for have, as far as possible, been supplied.

Before presenting a claim on account of loss and damage, the following important information respecting claims should be given careful consideration:

1. The terms under which property is accepted and transported by a carrier are stated on the bill of lading issued by the carrier; also in tariffs and classifications issued or subscribed to by the carrier. Persons intending to file claims should, before doing so, examine the terms and conditions under which the property was accepted and transported.
   
   
2. Carriers and their agents are bound by the provisions of law, and any deviation therefrom by the payment of claims before the facts and measure of legal liability are established will render them as well as the claimant, liable to fines and penalties by law.
   
   
3. In order that carrier may have an opportunity to inspect goods and thereby properly verify claims, any loss or damage discovered after delivery should be reported to the agent of the delivering carrier, as far as possible, immediately upon delivery, or within 15 days after receipt of goods by consignee. Concealed loss and damage claims should be supported by an "Inspection Report Form" covering the joint inspection of the loss or damage by consignee and carrier representative.
   
   
4. It is common practice for manufacturers and others to ship large quantities to key points for warehousing and later distribution to surrounding areas. In many instances, the original container is not opened and the contents examined before reshipment to final destination. When this practice is followed, it is impossible to determine after delivery to final destination whether loss or damage of a concealed nature occurred before or after reshipping. Consignees can expedite settlement by securing initial shipper's and warehouse's cooperation in supplying necessary billing reference so that shipment can be identified in handling with carriers rendering transportation to the distribution point.