California jury finds 3 trucking firms liable in $52.1M motorcycle crash verdict

A Los Angeles Superior Court jury awarded $52.1 million to Chad Perrigo and his wife Alexa Perrigo after a motorcycle collision in Santa Clarita in August 2021, holding three trucking companies liable under vicarious responsibility rules. Perrigo was struck by a truck driven by Jorge Castaneda Rodriguez, who was operating a vehicle owned by Montecristo Trucking. The load had been subcontracted twice from the U.S. Postal Service. The jury found multiple firms in the supply chain responsible for Rodriguez's actions. The decision hinged on federal Hours of Service violations by Rodriguez at the time of the crash, according to Khail A. Parris, the attorney representing the Perrigos. Judge Michele Flurer instructed the jury that vicarious responsibility applies when an employer is responsible for harm caused by wrongful conduct of employees acting within the scope of employment. For carriers and owner operators, the verdict signals a broader liability exposure. Trucking companies that subcontract work or hire independent contractors can now face legal responsibility for driver conduct, even when those drivers are not direct employees. The ruling follows legal principles established in the 1952 California Supreme Court case Ely vs. Murphy. Fleets should review their contractual protections and safety protocols for all drivers operating under their authority, including those obtained through subcontracting arrangements. This case demonstrates that maintaining distance in the supply chain may not shield companies from negligence claims tied to Hours of Service violations and other safety failures.