Supreme Court Unanimously Clears Path for Leg‑Loss Victim to Sue Freight Broker CH Robinson

Shawn Montgomery’s parked vehicle was struck by a speeding tractor‑trailer on an Illinois highway in 2017, resulting in the loss of part of his leg. He alleges that CH Robinson, the nation’s largest freight broker, placed the driver on the road despite knowing about serious safety red flags. CH Robinson reported moving over 18 million loads in 2023, generating roughly $6.5 billion in revenue. The company employs roughly 15,000 workers across North America. Lower courts had dismissed the claim, citing federal preemption, but Montgomery appealed to the Supreme Court.

The Court’s unanimous decision allows Montgomery to proceed with his lawsuit against CH Robinson. In his claim, he states that CH Robinson should be liable for “placing the driver on the road despite known serious red flags.” More than two dozen U.S. states supported the suit, arguing it would enhance safety in a sector that transports billions of tons of freight annually. The U.S. trucking sector moves about 11 billion tons of freight each year, according to federal data.

The judgment clarifies that federal licensing does not automatically shield freight brokers from state‑based liability claims tied to safety concerns. It may encourage other injured parties to pursue similar suits against logistics firms that hire carriers with problematic histories. Industry analysts expect a rise in litigation focused on broker vetting practices, while carriers may face stricter scrutiny from their partners. Some legal experts note that the ruling could influence insurance premiums for brokers if liability exposure rises. To watch next: how lower courts interpret the safety‑exception precedent and whether Congress or federal agencies move to clarify liability rules for freight brokers.