B-137468, OCTOBER 17, 1958, 38 COMP. GEN. 314

ETC. - GOVERNMENT LIABILITY LOSS OR DAMAGE TO AN EMPLOYEE'S HOUSEHOLD EFFECTS WHICH ARE SHIPPED UNDER ARRANGEMENTS MADE BY A GOVERNMENT AGENCY AND UNDER A GOVERNMENT BILL OF LADING. IS NOT AN OBLIGATION OR LIABILITY OF THE GOVERNMENT. EVEN THOUGH THE EMPLOYEE IS UNABLE TO COLLECT FROM THE PACKING COMPANY OR THE CARRIER. THE CLAIM IS NOT FOR SUBMISSION TO THE CONGRESS UNDER THE MERITORIOUS CLAIMS ACT. FOR LOSS AND DAMAGE TO HIS HOUSEHOLD EFFECTS WHICH WERE SHIPPED FROM PEORIA. THE HOUSEHOLD EFFECTS WERE CRATED IN SEVEN BOXES BY THEDE BROS. IT WAS FOUND UPON UNPACKING THE SEVEN BOXES THAT SEVERAL ARTICLES WERE DAMAGED AND OTHERS WERE MISSING. INDICATES THAT THE DAMAGE WAS DUE TO POOR PLACEMENT OF THE ARTICLES AND INSUFFICIENT PADDING IN CONTAINERS.