Central Transport Damaged shipment, refuses to pay claim Warren Michigan

My shipment was stored in a warehouse an hour away for nearly two weeks.  Multiple phone calls and email later, it was delivered, severely damaged.

My shipment was delivered damaged on 5/1/17.  I completed the claim forms, pictures, and submitted on 5/9. I received an email on 5/10 acknowledging my claim.

By July I still haven't heard back and I inquired about the status. I was told that they didn't have my paperwork, so I submitted it again. In September I still haven't heard back and I inquired again. I was told that they didn't have my paperwork filed, but that it was received on 5/10 and it wasn't entered into the system to process it.  I submitted it again for the 3rd time on 9/16.

I received a letter in the mail on 10/2 acknowledging my claim paperwork was received. On 10/18 I have yet to hear anything about it and I inquired again. Online I found that my claim was denied, but no reason given as to why. It stated that a letter of explanation was sent on 9/26. But the letter I received was an acknowledgement, not a declination. I have emailed and called the claims department multiple times and I am not getting any responses.

It has been 162 days since the first acknowledgement. And how could anyone decline such gross negligence in the mishandling of my shipment as this one? Multiple pieces were damaged beyond repair and had to be replaced. Parts were scratched and chipped, still needing to be repainted. Parts were bent, and the boxes were destroyed during the shipment. Half of the box was completely torn free from the shipment and was just sitting there when it was delivered. The banding straps have text printed completely around them saying "Not a handle, do not use to lift", but were used so extensively that they tore completely through the cardboard allowing the contents to shift around freely adding to the damage.

I received an email today saying that it was declined because Central Transport listed the items on the bill of lading as tools (purchased from Harbor Freight Tools), and I claimed damage to a trailer kit. Central Transport completed the BoL, not me. I shouldn't have pay for their mistake.