Overcoming unjustified claims: a recipe for a positive outcome

Overcoming unjustified claims: a recipe for a positive outcome

by | Nov 29, 2023 | Case Studies

International transport is fraught with both opportunities and many challenges. Transport companies are increasingly faced with a growing number of cases and disputes that arise in the course of their work. In some cases, these disagreements reach court, where qualified expertise is crucial to achieving a positive outcome. In this article we focus on the importance of professional work in resolving disputes in the world of international transport.

 

The Facts

Our client, a carrier, was commissioned to transport goods from Bulgaria to France. At the unloading address it was found that the goods were damaged. This was also established by the entry of an appropriate remark in the CMR consignment note.

The challenges

The owner of the goods brought a claim in relation to the damaged goods directly before the court. This is generally unusual as claims for damage or shortages are brought out of court under the CMR Convention.

Our client received by post a notice from the French court before which the case was brought, of the scheduled hearing, and information about the claim. With surprise and a degree of concern, a representative of the transport company contacted us asking for assistance.

In a case such as this, great care must be taken, bearing in mind the jurisdiction of the court before which the case is pending and that the specifics of the applicable law must be taken into account.

Professional care and assistance

As experts in the field of transport law, we at Claims Trans have an extensive network of contacts of lawyers abroad with whom we work on a daily basis on various cases.

Without wasting time, we contacted our partner in France. The latter, after becoming acquainted with the case, immediately took the necessary steps to ensure that our client was properly represented in court in France.

Together with the lawyer, we discussed the main lines of defence open to us.

The claimant’s (the owner of the goods) claim was extremely high, including the cost of repairing the damaged goods, transport costs, operational loss, and legal costs.

The operating loss claimed by the plaintiff was a huge sum, which was not proven either in reason or in amount.

After a thorough discussion of the facts and the applicable law with the French lawyer, we concluded together that our client was only liable for the damage to the goods, but up to the limit of liability provided for in the CMR Convention.

As a next step, we considered that it would be best if an out-of-court settlement could be reached with the other party in order to bring the case to a swift and fair conclusion.

Our partner initiated serious negotiations with the opposing party and its legal representative, ultimately succeeding in its efforts, and the claimant agreed to be compensated up to the carrier’s limit of liability and to have the case dismissed and accordingly closed.

In the meantime, open court hearings were held and it took almost a year to reach a settlement, have it approved by the court and accordingly terminate the proceedings. Otherwise, if no agreement had been reached, perhaps the trial would have continued for another year.

Conclusions

In the end, thanks to our efforts and the professionalism of our partner, the value of the claim was reduced from nearly 90,000 EUR to 13,000 EUR. With the out-of-court settlement, the case was closed relatively quickly and entirely in the interest of our client. Justice prevailed once again and we were able to fight off the unjustified claim of the owner of the goods, which, had it been upheld by the court, could have proved disastrous for our client’s business.

 

Success in the field of transportation case management requires not only careful management, but also professional care and assistance. At Claims Trans, we provide expert claims assistance on a daily basis. Our commitment to clients and our ability to offer quick and effective solutions play a crucial role in achieving positive results that, in turn, fully satisfy our clients.

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Another Successfully Resolved Case of Total Goods Damage Due to a Road Incident

Another Successfully Resolved Case of Total Goods Damage Due to a Road Incident

by | Oct 30, 2023 | Case Studies

In the dynamic transport industry, incidents leading to total goods damage due to road accidents are not uncommon. These occurrences pose significant challenges for carriers and all parties involved, relying on seamless cargo delivery. However, with timely intervention, effective management, and expertise in transport law, successfully resolving such cases becomes possible.

Facts

Our client, a carrier, was tasked with transporting goods to Germany. During the transport, a road incident occurred due to a burst tire, resulting in the overturning of the composition, hitting the roadside barriers, and shifting into oncoming traffic. A severe incident, fortunately leaving the driver unharmed.

Challenges

Road incidents of this nature are highly dangerous, both for the driver and other road users. Timely arrival of the police at the accident site was crucial, leading to the drafting of a police report. This report was of significant importance in processing the claim by the insurers. Simultaneously, the composition with the scattered goods blocked the busy highway. It was imperative to promptly organize the clearing of the roadway and the removal of the composition and goods to the nearest parking lot by an assisting company. Another challenge emerged in the destruction of the damaged goods. As it was a food product, the goods had to be disposed of as quickly as possible, following certain standards, resulting in additional significant expenses.

Navigating the Process

We promptly informed the carrier’s insurer about the insurance event and requested immediate guidance. The insurer confirmed that engaging an surveyor in this case was unnecessary as the goods were entirely damaged – a total loss.

Quick Actions Lead to Results

Upon submitting all the necessary documents to the carrier’s insurer and maintaining active communication, the insurer provided a positive response, and the full value of the damaged goods was paid to the claimant. Moreover, the expenses incurred by the carrier in clearing the goods from the roadway and their destruction were fully reimbursed by the insurer.

Conclusions

The significant incident posed a challenge for both the carrier and the cargo owner. The carrier took responsibility, adhering to the standards and obligations outlined in the CMR Convention, which was crucial for the successful resolution of the case. It’s essential to note that thanks to rapid and effective communication and collaboration among all involved parties, the insurer completely satisfied the cargo owner’s claim, providing full compensation for the incurred losses. This successful outcome highlights the importance of a professional approach and the ability to act quickly and effectively when unexpected incidents occur during international cargo transport.

Our experts understand the importance of handling incidents and insurance claims. With our extensive experience and a team of transport and insurance law professionals, we are at your service to provide our expertise and commitment to resolving similar situations. Rest assured, with us, your interests and rights will be fully protected, and the process of settling insurance claims will be conducted efficiently and with special attention to details.

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A Trial by Fire: Claims Trans’ success in Resolving a Charred Cargo Case

A Trial by Fire: Claims Trans’ success in Resolving a Charred Cargo Case

by | Sep 7, 2023 | Case Studies

In the world of international cargo transportation, challenges often arise when you least expect them. When unforeseen incidents occur, maintaining composure and taking swift, effective action are essential for a successful resolution. Join us on a journey through a recent case where Clams Trans faced the heat and emerged victorious in a complex charred cargo incident.

The Facts

Our client, a carrier, was entrusted with the transportation of goods from Italy to Bulgaria. During the journey, disaster struck in the form of a fire caused by a blown tire, resulting in the complete incineration of the trailer and its cargo.

The Challenges

The fire spread rapidly, leaving both the cargo and the trailer entirely consumed by flames. Fortunately, the driver emerged unscathed from this perilous situation. Local law enforcement agencies were summoned to the scene and subsequently prepared a crucial police report, which would prove invaluable during the insurance claims process.

After the fire was extinguished, the remains of the trailer, along with the tractor unit and the remnants of the cargo, had to be transported to the nearest parking facility by an assisting company to clear the road. Moreover, the cargo held substantial value, adding another layer of complexity to the case.

Navigating the Process

The carrier’s CMR liability insurer was immediately notified of the insurance event, and swift instructions were sought. The insurer confirmed that there was no need to engage an surveyor since the damage to the cargo was evidently a total loss. Subsequently, arrangements were made to transport the cargo to Bulgaria, its final destination as per the transport order. Nevertheless, the cargo remained at the disposal of the insurer until the case was fully investigated.

Swift Actions Yield Results

After providing all the necessary documentation, the carrier’s CMR insurer issued a statement and fully compensated the significant claimed value for the charred cargo.

Key Takeaways🏁

Despite the severity of a charred cargo incident, the carrier assumed responsibility in accordance with the CMR Convention. Thanks to our timely actions, the insurer fully honored the cargo owner’s claim and provided full compensation. This case underscores the importance of correctly applying the CMR Convention and taking swift, effective action when unexpected incidents occur during international cargo transportation.

The accurate interpretation and execution of these elements are of paramount importance in ensuring fair compensation and protecting the interests of all parties involved. Such unexpected incidents present a significant challenge for all participants in international transportation. However, it is crucial to note that in times of need and uncertainty, Clams Trans stands ready to offer reliable support and assistance.

Our team understands the importance of handling incidents and insurance claims correctly. With our extensive experience and a team of experts in transportation and insurance law, we are poised to provide our expertise and commitment to resolving similar situations. Rest assured that with us, your interests and rights will be fully safeguarded, and the process of settling insurance claims will be conducted efficiently and with meticulous attention to detail.

 

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Does transport mediation deliver solutions tailored to the dynamics of the logistics industry?

Does transport mediation deliver solutions tailored to the dynamics of the logistics industry?

by | Jan 25, 2023 | Articles

transport mediation

The dynamics of the logistics industry create serious challenges for carriers, freight forwarders and customers. Problematic situations arise on a daily basis. Losing control of a problem while it is still in its infancy makes solving it much more difficult.

How can logistics companies can benefit from mediation?

The logistics industry needs a mechanism to match its dynamics, namely an adaptable, dynamic, flexible and fast model through which disputes can be resolved efficiently. The mediation procedure is the means that would perfectly incorporate into the transport industry to help it continue to develop at a rapid pace.

Mediation is an alternative means of resolving disputes. It is precisely an alternative because it is an option that the parties have and the choice of which depends solely on their will. By agreeing to a mediation procedure with the assistance of a mediator, the parties aim to reach a mutually beneficial solution and agreement between them. Of course, the parties to a pending dispute may also proceed to mediation at any time and reach an agreement only with the mediator’s proper communication guidelines.

The mediation procedure is distinguished by certain principles which most clearly describe its nature, namely: voluntariness, equality, neutrality, impartiality and confidentiality. In view of these basic principles, the disputants have equal opportunities in the mediation procedure. They participate of their own free will and may withdraw at any time. It is also extremely important that the mediator does not show partiality and does not impose a solution on the dispute. In the mediation procedure, all issues are settled only by mutual agreement of the parties.

In order to gain a better insight into the nature of mediation, we should distinguish mediation from court and arbitration proceedings. While in the latter two proceedings the decision is made by a judge or arbitrator on the basis of the applicable law, in mediation the parties themselves resolve the dispute with the help of the mediator on the basis of their personal needs or business interests. Another important difference should not be overlooked, namely that court and arbitration proceedings follow a strictly formal procedure laid down in law or rules, whereas in mediation there is an informal and flexible procedure which is modelled and individualised according to the needs of the parties and the type of dispute respectively.

The advantages offered by the mediation procedure are significant in number and can be structured as follows:

1.Speed of outcome – this is one of the main advantages of mediation compared to court proceedings in particular. The parties can usually reach a mutually beneficial solution within 1-2 sessions, which would not take more than a month. Conversely, if the dispute is taken to court, it can take a considerable period of time to consider and resolve.

2.Lower financial cost – resolving the dispute in mediation would cost much less financially than court proceedings;

3.Convenience – no formal procedures;

4.Control – the parties have overall control over the development of the procedure;

5.High success rate and getting to the heart of the problem;

6.Preservation of alternative options – referring the dispute to a mediator does not deprive the parties of the possibility, if they fail to reach an agreement, to seek protection of their rights and interests in court or in arbitration;

7.Preservation of relations – resolving the dispute in mediation allows the parties to preserve good relations and continue their cooperation;

Most likely, after clarifying the nature of mediation, the question arises: How can mediation work in transport? The answer is clear – mediation is widely applicable in the transport sector as it would help to resolve the conflicts that inevitably arise on a daily basis. In view of the dynamics of the transport industry, mediation is the means by which disputes arising can be resolved in a quick, efficient and above all cost-effective manner.

Furthermore, business relations in transport are very important and as such should be preserved for the future. A mediator would help the two disputing parties to confront the problem, generate as many solutions as possible in the interests of the parties, find the balance in the demands of both parties so that they can reach a mutually beneficial solution and continue to cooperate with each other, rather than worsen their relationship as happens most often in litigation.

And what is the value for companies? Mediation gives a lot – companies reach quick and efficient solutions in line with their direct business interests – a very important circumstance in view of the dynamics in the transport industry. Mediation saves a lot of costs – a definite plus in view of the difficult economic situation we are in. Last but not least, mediation helps the parties to maintain good relations with each other and to continue working together – this fact also has a positive impact on the economic situation of the companies.

Mediation is best suited to the dynamics of the logistics industry. The latter requires quick, effective and forward-looking solutions, and mediation is able to help the parties themselves reach precisely such solutions.

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