Q: Can I sue a storage company for losing my items?
I am a student in the UK and during the summer I usually store my personal belongings in student storage here because they are cheap and effective. This year, however, I have been returned two out of the three items that I have placed in their custody, the third and last remaining item I had been delivered from the storage company was someone else's suitcase! I have emailed and called them multiple times throughout the past month to find out the whereabouts of my last suitcase, but alas I receive no response. I have called the courier company that picks-up and delivers the items and they said that they do not have it and suggested I call the storage company back because they should have it. I fear they have lost my item, so I wanted to inquire on here what actions I should take in case they confirm that they have lost it. Can I file a lawsuit against them? Or should the issue be resolved internally through direct compensation?
Please let me know & thank you!
Best regards,
Vincenzo
A:
First look at the terms of your agreement. It's possible that they have provisions that outline the remedies of a customer. As a general matter, such agreements sometimes limit the forum to arbitration, or if they do accept civil suit, the venue is limited to the courts of a certain county, or the courts of a certain state. This does not mean that your agreement necessarily contains such terms; it just means that you should read your agreement. If you could resolve it internally through their customer service/dispute resolution department, it's possible that could be the most cost-effective solution. If not, based on the cost of the items lost, you could consider whether it makes sense to retain an attorney. Good luck
Tim Akpinar
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