C.H. Robinson Confident in Supreme Court Broker Liability Case

Key Details C.H. Robinson CEO Dave Bozeman addressed the Montgomery vs. Caribe II case during the company's first quarter earnings call this week. The Supreme Court case, argued in early March, centers on whether brokerages can be held liable under state safety laws. A ruling is expected before the end of June. What's at Stake The case hinges on interpreting the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act (F4A), specifically the safety exception that allows state action against transportation companies. The key question: does this safety exception apply to freight brokers, who are not explicitly mentioned in that section? C.H. Robinson's Position Bozeman stated confidently that the company expects to win, calling their Supreme Court argument solid. He noted that brokers are mentioned in other F4A sections, suggesting Congress would have explicitly included them in the safety exception if intended. Bozeman also pushed back on characterizing this as simply a broker liability issue. Why It Matters A ruling against C.H. Robinson could expose the entire 3PL industry to new state-level liability claims. The outcome will significantly impact how brokers operate and their legal exposure for carrier actions. This case represents one of the most important regulatory decisions for the freight brokerage sector in recent years.