Nevada · Moving company damage or loss

Moving company damage or loss in Nevada 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 Nevada, small-claims cases are heard in the Justice Court (small claims division) and you can sue for up to $10,000.

Good to know: Nevada has no statewide small claims court; claims are heard by the justice of the peace in the local Justice Court for the township (NRS 73.010). Each township (Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, and others) publishes its own forms, so some steps vary by court.

Moving company damage or loss: steps that matter

1. Keep your moving contract, estimate, and bill of lading, and note any inventory forms the mover provided.
2. Document all damage immediately at delivery — photos, a written list, and the mover's own delivery receipt if they made one.
3. File a formal written claim with the moving company first, noting their deadline for response (often specified in your contract).
4. If the company does not resolve the claim, send a demand letter stating the total amount sought and keep proof you sent it.
5. File in the court for the county where the moving company is located or where delivery occurred.

Filing your Affidavit of Complaint in Nevada

1. Confirm the right court and that your claim is $10,000 or less. Small claims handle money-only disputes up to $10,000. File in the Justice Court for the township where the defendant lives, works, or does business, or where the events occurred.
2. Make a demand for payment. Most townships require a demand first. North Las Vegas requires a certified-mail demand and a 15-day wait before filing; Las Vegas requires only that a demand was previously made. Check your township's rule.
3. Complete and file the Affidavit of Complaint. Fill out the Affidavit of Complaint, make the required copies, and file it with the court with any demand-letter proof and the fee. The court sets a hearing date and issues a Summons and Order to Appear.
4. Serve the defendant. A file-stamped copy of the Affidavit and Summons must be served on each defendant by the constable, sheriff, a licensed process server, or any uninvolved adult over 18. North Las Vegas requires service at least 15 days before the court date.
5. File the Affidavit of Service and prepare for the hearing. File the Affidavit of Service (North Las Vegas requires it at least 10 days before the court date) and bring your evidence and witnesses. There is no written answer; the dispute is decided at the hearing.

Filing fees: Filing fees are set by each Justice Court and scale with the claim, so there is no single statewide figure. North Las Vegas's 2025 schedule runs from $66 (claims up to $1,000) to $196 (claims up to $10,000). Fee waivers are available; verify with your court.

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 (NRS 11.190(1)(b))

Answering a lawsuit: No written answer is required. The defendant is ordered to appear at a court-set trial date (North Las Vegas requires service at least 15 days before); failing to appear can result in a default judgment.

Serving the defendant: A file-stamped copy of the Affidavit of Complaint and Summons and Order to Appear must be served on each defendant by the constable, sheriff, a licensed process server, or any uninvolved adult over 18. In North Las Vegas, service is due at least 15 days before the court date and the Affidavit of Service at least 10 days before.

Appeals: Either party may appeal to the District Court; deadlines are set by each Justice Court (the Las Vegas Justice Court allows 5 judicial days from entry of judgment). A typed transcript is required, so confirm with the court that ruled.

All Nevada small-claims deadlines

The table below lists the filing deadlines Justice Court (small claims division) 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.

Nevada small-claims forms for your moving company damage or loss case

These forms are published by the Justice Court (small claims division). Download and complete them before filing.

• North Las Vegas Justice Court Small Claims Packet (information sheet, Affidavit of Complaint, Affidavit of Service, fee schedule): Official combined packet that explains the small claims process and contains the Affidavit of Complaint (Small Claims), the Affidavit of Service (Small Claims), the Summons & Order to Appear, and the filing-fee schedule by claim amount.
• North Las Vegas Justice Court Small Claims Packet (Spanish): Spanish-language version of the small claims packet and forms.
• Henderson Justice Court Affidavit of Complaint (Small Claims): Standalone Affidavit of Complaint form used to start a small claims case (Henderson Township version).

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: Nevada Administrative Office of the Courts: Small Claims Court. Last reviewed 2026-06-24.