Cross border small claims?

[Wheelsandwax]

I live in BC, Canada.

I am a Canadian Photographer looking ot collect damages for a lost slide by a Californian Magazine Publisher . I need some help. So, here's what happened:

I sent a submission to MOUNTAIN BIKING magazine and they used one of my images. No problem with that. They will pay and intend to do so, however, they lost the slide. So, I talked to the Editor and he apologizes and gives me the info for getting in touch with the Publisher (Challenge Publications) [url]http://www.challengeweb.com/[/url].

I contacted the Publisher and left messages and emails to no avail. I invoiced him $1500 (standard fee) for the lost slide. No answer still. I sent a final notice that I was going to file small claims.

Now, I need to know how to file small claims across the border? Does anyone know? I will be contacting my lawyer but I'd rather figure out as much as possible myself first.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks for any help!

[Chien]

There is a Small Claims forum and, as I recall, one of your BC compatriots was posting there within the last month.

But what do you need to know? Whether you can as a foreign national (you can) or how to go about it or . . . ?

Is making possibly more than one round-trip from BC going to be cost-justified?*
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*Perhaps I should have added that the travel costs won't be recoverable.

[debtcollector`]

Can the editor give you the digitized version of your slide?
Are you a member of the PPA? Can they do anything to help?

DC