Southwest Airlines Damaged Luggage & Unhelpful Baggage Policy

During my flight yesterday, my baggage sustained damage, yet Southwest Airlines has refused to compensate me for the incurred loss. Upon reporting the damage, I was informed that my claim was invalid due to not submitting it within the specified timeframe. The airline cited a deadline of 4 hours post-flight for filing such claims, and unfortunately, I was unable to report the damage within this timeframe. However, I must highlight the impracticality of this requirement. As a passenger, I was not given the opportunity to inspect my baggage until more than 4 hours had passed since the flight's conclusion. This limitation in the claim window renders passengers vulnerable to overlooking damages that may have occurred during transit. Moreover, I have come across similar complaints from other passengers, underscoring a recurring issue with the airline's baggage handling procedures. One such complaint, shared by a fellow traveler, recounts a similar experience where the airline refused to address luggage damage due to a technicality in the reporting timeframe. I kindly request that my damaged baggage be adequately compensated for as soon as possible.