Supreme Court Allows Broker Liability Lawsuit to Move Forward

Key Details The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled on May 14 that a crash victim can sue freight broker C.H. Robinson for negligent carrier selection. Shawn Montgomery lost part of his leg when a Caribe Transport II tractor-trailer hit his parked vehicle on an Illinois highway in 2017. Why It Matters Montgomery's legal team argued C.H. Robinson should share liability because the carrier had a pattern of crashes and the driver had prior citations for careless driving. The broker claimed federal regulation of carriers shields them from state-level lawsuits, but the court disagreed. The Ruling Justices found that even though federal law typically preempts state law, safety-related claims can proceed under state regulations. Over 20 states backed Montgomery, arguing the decision would improve highway safety standards. What's Next The ruling allows the case to move forward in lower courts. C.H. Robinson and other logistics companies now face potential liability for carrier selection decisions under various state laws, rather than federal immunity protections they previously relied on.