When an incident affects cargo, identifying the damage is only part of the problem. Handling a claim properly also requires being able to reconstruct what happened and support it with consistent evidence.
RSK has already addressed this subject in its publications: missing information, weak or incomplete evidence and insufficient documentation can directly affect how a claim unfolds. In other words, it is not enough to know that damage occurred; it is necessary to understand what happened, when it happened and what supports that conclusion.
Documentation helps reconstruct the operation
Depending on the type of cargo and the incident, relevant records may include transport documents, survey records, photographs, communications between the parties and, particularly for perishable cargo, information on temperature and condition.
In previous publications, RSK has also highlighted the importance of reviewing internal procedures, consolidation reports, temperature records, stowage and commercial documentation as part of preparing an export operation.
The aim is not to accumulate documents, but to have information that allows the facts to be analysed in an orderly way.
Legal and operational analysis
A cargo claim needs to be examined from more than one perspective. At RSK, claims handling combines factual analysis with legal interpretation and the operational reality of the logistics chain. Its current services include direct claims, loss control and specialised negotiation.
Well-structured evidence makes it easier to identify liability, assess the merits of the case and determine the most appropriate strategy for pursuing recovery.