Major pilferage from carryonbag

[Krish]

My wife had travelled from Philadelphi to India via New york, In Phily airport due to over weight problem in aeroplane(American Airlines) they sent my wife and some of other passengers to New York(JFK) in bus without giving carryon baggage ( Baggage was kept in cargo due to small plane). They assured that we send this carryon to Final destination along with other checkin baggage. My wife did not receive carryon bag at final destination, she complained there and called me over phone. I enquired in JFK, the carry on was not sent along with other baggage and it was lying with other carrier (Air India). I claimed for it but it was pilferaged totally. I lost my personal jewellary and cammcorder.
I sent a claim to first carrier, they replied due to international rules, you have to claim to final carrie. When I claim that, the final carrier is saying they did not send the proper tags ( it had only gate tag no info on final destination) so claim only from first carrier. How can I proceed with this, so many people say go small claim court,sue both of them you will get your money back. Please help me, shall I claim first carrier or second carrier or both.

Thanks

 

[lg2]

Any claim you make, since they apparently will only point at each other, should be against both carriers

 

[lg2]

Failure to name both will probably result in one showing up and just saying the other flight was responsible