One of the Island's top freight companies could be sued by a couple from Florida who claim their property was damaged in transit.

Mark and Margaret Benevides hired Bermuda Forwarders to ship 35 boxes of personal effects to Florida when they left the Island last summer.

But when the boxes arrived at their final destination a computer keyboard and 21 figurines -- worth a total of nearly $2,000 -- had been smashed to bits.

The couple claim that the company failed to pack the fragile goods in special containers, even though they had requested them.

And they have been told that their insurance cover -- for which they paid an extra $250 -- was worthless because they did the original packing themselves.

Last night Mrs. Benevides said: "The last months have been one headache after another.

"We packed the boxes ourselves thinking it would save us money and time. I have many fragile figurines and china and felt more comfortable packing them myself.

"Because there was a lot of fragile pieces we said we wanted the fragile boxes to be packed into large crates. We were told that wouldn't be a problem and were even taken to the warehouse to see the crates.

"The boxes were waiting for us when we returned home but there was no sign of the crates.

"When my husband opened the computer box he noticed that the foam protecting the sides had been crushed and the computer itself looked as though someone's foot had been driven through the bottom -- many of the wires and hardware had been jolted out of place.

"We started to panic and I opened the other fragile boxes. Twenty one of my pendelphin figures, which I had spent years collecting, had been chipped and after the care we know that we put into packing our fragile boxes they must have taken a beating.

"We feel that if the fragile boxes had been shipped in crates as we had requested the breakage may not have taken place.

"We are fed up with Bermuda Forwarders. I can't believe they are trying to get away with this and I have now contacted a lawyer who has left messages with the company which haven't been returned either.'' Last night the company insisted that it would not be paying out full compensation.

Bermuda Forwarders exports manager Robert Holdipp said: "As it stands at this point we're prepared to offer a $150 rebate. I cannot comment on any legal action.'' COURTS CTS