Maine · Moving company damage or loss
Moving company damage or loss in Maine small claims
Mover damaged or lost your belongings? Recover in small claims.
When a moving company damages furniture, breaks valuables, or loses boxes during a move, small claims court is often the most practical way to recover the cost of the damaged or missing items. Your claim rests on proving what the mover contracted to transport, what was damaged or lost, and its value. The moving contract and a careful inventory of what was missing or broken at delivery are your most important evidence.
In Maine, small-claims cases are heard in the Small Claims Court (a session of the District Court) and you can sue for up to $10,000 (effective January 1, 2026).
Good to know: Maine small claims court is not a separate court but a session of the District Court. Filings are made with the District Court clerk; small claims appeals are filed in the Superior Court.
Moving company damage or loss: steps that matter
- Keep your moving contract, estimate, and bill of lading, and note any inventory forms the mover provided.
- Document all damage immediately at delivery — photos, a written list, and the mover's own delivery receipt if they made one.
- File a formal written claim with the moving company first, noting their deadline for response (often specified in your contract).
- If the company does not resolve the claim, send a demand letter stating the total amount sought and keep proof you sent it.
- File in the court for the county where the moving company is located or where delivery occurred.
Filing your Statement of Claim (Form SC-001) in Maine
- Complete the Statement of Claim (SC-001). Fill out the Statement of Claim (SC-001) with a brief account of what happened, when, and what you want the court to do. Get the form free from any District Court clerk or the Forms page.
- Serve the defendant. Before filing, serve the defendant by certified mail with restricted delivery, hand delivery with an Acknowledgment of Receipt, or sheriff service in the defendant's county.
- File the claim and pay the fee. Once service is verified, file the Statement of Claim with the clerk within 20 days and pay the fee. If you cannot afford it, file an Application to Proceed without Payment of Fees (CV-067).
- Receive the hearing notice. Both parties get a Notice of Small Claims Hearing by mail with the date, time, and place. Be ready to present your case and evidence.
Filing fees: The fee to enter a small claims action is $55 (including a $15 mediation fee), set statewide by the Supreme Judicial Court (Administrative Order JB-05-26). Service costs are separate.
Deadline that applies to your moving company damage or loss
A moving company claim can be framed as a contract claim (the mover was paid to transport goods safely and did not) or as a property damage claim (the mover damaged or lost your property). The applicable statute of limitations may depend on which theory you use; some states also have specific carrier liability rules. Confirm which deadline applies to your situation with the court.
Written contract: 6 years (14 M.R.S. § 752)
Answering a lawsuit: No written answer is required; the defendant must be prepared to respond at the hearing.
Serving the defendant: You must serve the defendant before filing, by certified mail with restricted delivery, hand delivery with an Acknowledgment of Receipt, or the county sheriff. File proof of service, then file the claim with the clerk within 20 days of verified service.
Appeals: Either side may file a Notice of Appeal within 30 days. A plaintiff may appeal on a question of law only; a defendant on a question of law or fact. Appeals are filed in the Superior Court.
All Maine small-claims deadlines
The table below lists the filing deadlines Small Claims Court (a session of the District Court) applies by claim category. Confirm the exact rule that applies to your moving company damage or loss claim with your court before relying on any figure.
| Claim type | Filing deadline |
|---|---|
| Written contract (14 M.R.S. § 752) | 6 years |
| Oral contract / debt (14 M.R.S. § 752) | 6 years |
| Property damage (14 M.R.S. § 752) | 6 years |
| Personal injury (general negligence) (14 M.R.S. § 752) | 6 years |
| Slander and libel (note: 2-year exception) (14 M.R.S. § 753) | 2 years |
Maine small-claims forms for your moving company damage or loss case
These forms are published by the Small Claims Court (a session of the District Court). Download and complete them before filing.
- Statement of Claim (SC-001): The initial document a plaintiff files to start a small claims case, stating the facts and the relief requested.
- Information Regarding Service in Small Claims Actions (SC-010): Official guidance on how to serve the defendant under M.R.S.C.P. 4 before filing.
- Notice of Appeal (SC-007): Used by either party to appeal a small claims decision to the Superior Court within 30 days.
- Application to Proceed without Payment of Fees (CV-067): Used to ask the court to waive the filing fee (file together with Financial Affidavit CV-191).
This page is general information, not legal advice, and CaseBySelf is not a law firm. Rules, fees, and deadlines change and vary by court: verify with the specific court where you file. Source: Maine Judicial Branch: Small Claims. Last reviewed 2026-06-24.