Story perspectives

Supreme Court Allows Negligent Hiring Suit Against C.H. Robinson

5/16/2026

Summary

Supreme Court Allows Suit

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on May 14, 2026 that C.H. Robinson can be sued for negligent hiring.
The 9-0 Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II ruling held the safety exception does not preempt negligence claims.
Shawn Montgomery, who lost a leg in a 2017 Illinois crash, sued the broker.
Justices Amy Coney Barrett, Brett Kavanaugh and Samuel Alito concurred, saying brokers must select carriers responsibly and can still defend suits.

Summary

Insurers Raise Premiums

Insurance firms will raise freight-broker premiums after the ruling, citing negligence risk.
Higher premiums could force small brokers out and spur consolidation toward larger intermediaries.
The Transportation Intermediaries Association warned that divergent state standards will raise compliance costs for multi-state operators.
Augment CEO Harish Abbott said brokers will tighten carrier-vetting and keep audit-ready documentation.
Industry groups are considering lobbying for a federal safe-harbor that shields brokers meeting safety-due-diligence standards.

History

Historical Context

Since FMCSA introduced its safety-rating program, carriers have been scored on compliance, a system later scrutinized by the 2015 FAST Act and revised through 2018 testing. The Supreme Court’s ruling against C.H. Robinson, requiring brokers to vet carriers like the agency, revives that regulatory legacy, prompting insurers, the Transportation Intermediaries Association and Augment’s Harish Abbott to push for a federal safe-harbor.

1 of 3

Supreme Court Allows Suit

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on May 14, 2026 that C.H. Robinson can be sued for negligent hiring.
The 9-0 Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II ruling held the safety exception does not preempt negligence claims.
Shawn Montgomery, who lost a leg in a 2017 Illinois crash, sued the broker.
Justices Amy Coney Barrett, Brett Kavanaugh and Samuel Alito concurred, saying brokers must select carriers responsibly and can still defend suits.

1 / 3