My dog tied while in transit on Northwest Airlines. What Claims can I make, how can I recoup the finacial loss?
I just flew our family from Detroit to Germany to join my active duty Army husband. As I landed, I was informed that one of our two bulldogges died during the trip. An examination or autopsy still has to be performed, but I’d guess it was due to respiratory distress or overheating. He had been examined by the vet two days before travel and declared perfectly healthy.
I don’t want to sound callous and sound like money is all that matters. A monetary value can’t be put on what he meant to us, and no money will bring him back. Bottom line though, he was an investment, and we have spent countless dollars breeding, training and showing him. I’d expect if brought in a suitcase, and it was damaged before I picked it up, the airlines would replace it. Is this different?
Some facts if it makes a difference: temperature is supposed to be checked prior to accepting the kennel. There is no documentation that this was done, and the checksheet on his kennel was left blank./ A customer service rep at the airport met us at the gate. We were given a comp ticket for refreshments, a voucher for a cab ride to the animal station (to view him and retrieve property) and I was informed that Northwest would cover the cost of the post mortem examination/ As I checked in the dogs at the airport prior to departure, one of the cargo handlers was in training and being shadowed by another employee/ No extra liability insurance was purchased, nor were we given an option. No specific waiver of fault was signed or discussed, although as I understand it, that is a general condition implied with ticket purchase.
Do I have a case or right to claim, and if so how would I precede. Anybody know where I could research other pet losses at the airlines?
When you check the dog in, the paperwork you sign states the limit of loss coverage if the dog dies or is lost. Usually it’s like $100 per animal.
You don’t have a claim or a case, beyond the coverage stated in the ticket.
I don’t know of any international pet loss records that are kept, but domestic pet losses ARE recorded somewhere – I just don’t know where.
The NWA website provides no help. See http://www.nwa.com/travel/animals/aircraftpets.html
According to this site, DOT requires reports of this kind to be filed with regularity. See http://www.thirdamendment.com/animals.html Check the FAQ to see if you’re outside of the exceptions
Note the specific department of DOT stated in the regulations and head to the DOT site to find the phone # for that department and call, ask questions, but remember you’re dealing with most likely a lazy bunch only keeping statistics.
Outside of DOT, here’s a site recommending that you report the matter to the USDA with an address and phone #. Hopefully the phone number works.
http://www.ddal.org/campaigns/spotlight/
I’m sorry for your loss and wish you the best.
Steve
How Liability Limits Work
The "NOTICE OF BAGGAGE LIABILITY LIMITATIONS" on the back of an airline ticket says that the airline’s liability for loss, delay or damage to baggage is limited to a certain amount unless the passenger declared a higher value for the baggage and paid an additional fee to transport it. Remember, your dog is classified as baggage (carry-on or excess) unless you ship it air cargo. Similar liability limits also apply to air cargo.
Airlines can’t declare themselves free of all financial responsibility for their carelessness toward baggage. They can and do, however, limit their liability to $2,800, the minimum required by the federal government.
The theory is that passengers agree to the liability limit in exchange for getting to pay the relatively inexpensive baggage rate to ship the dog. The airline can charge the low rate because it doesn’t risk being liable for a huge amount of money if something goes wrong. And passengers have the chance to declare a higher value if they want.
Most airlines do allow passengers to declare a higher value for baggage. The ticket will probably only inform you that you have this option; to find out how much the added liability coverage will cost you, you’ll have to ask the airline.
Example. In 1983, Thomas Deiro shipped nine racing greyhounds by air from Portland to Boston. The airline left the dogs in their cages on a baggage cart in the sun, in 97° heat, during a stopover in Dallas. Seven of them died, and the others were injured. Deiro sued American Airlines for $900,000.
The court awarded him $750, the liability limit at the time.
I don’t know the answer.
I just wanted to say that I am very sorry for your incredible loss.
To be completely honest, you may want to seek a consultation with a lawyer. Even if the ticket states that you’re declaring a $100.00 value on an animal it may not wave the airlines negligence (if any) that may have contributed to the death of your dog.
An autopsy would help out tons as to the cause of death and wither or not it was directly related to something in flight or something your vet missed when giving the clean bill of health prior to take off.