I think that is more the truth, just hitting some bad luck, than anything. IME, baggage handlers as a group are no rougher on my baggage than I am, but that isn't to say I don't occasionally catch one having a bad day.

I've had the misfortunes of watch the contents of my carry-on bag, which was forced to be gateside checked on a tiny airplane, scatter all over the runway with some baggage handlers. Just managed to catch the zipper on something and opened it wide up, sometimes that is just how the dice rolls.