Insurance
Home›Insurance›Industry & Deals›National Union and Zurich sue Kuehne + Nagel over $220…
National Union and Zurich sue Kuehne + Nagel over $220K microscope loss
The insurers say FEI Company received a Thermo Fisher electron microscope in good condition for transport from Luxembourg to Los Angeles, but it arrived physically damaged.
National Union Fire Insurance and Zurich American Insurance have filed a federal lawsuit in California seeking recovery from air cargo carriers over a damaged shipment of an electron microscope, according to a complaint filed Aug. 5, 2026.
The insurers said their insured, FEI Company, gave the carriers a Thermo Fisher Scientific Helios 5 Hydra CX electron microscope in good condition for air transport from Luxembourg to Los Angeles under two air waybills, but the cargo was delivered damaged. The complaint alleges breach of air carrier and bailee duties and careless handling, and it is framed under the Montreal Convention, which governs international air cargo claims.
The filing says written notice of the damage reached the carriers within 14 days of delivery, pointing to compliance with the treaty’s notice requirements, which can affect whether claimants retain the right to recover. It also says the insurers paid FEI $119,895.05 under the cargo policy, net of a $100,000 deductible, and that they seek to pursue the carriers through subrogation for damages they describe as totaling $219,895.05, plus interest and costs.
FEI is included as a plaintiff for the deductible portion, the complaint notes. The companies’ allegations have not yet been tested in court, and no ruling has been issued.
typehint: none