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Supreme Court Eliminates Federal Shield for Freight Brokers in Negligent Hiring Cases

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states may pursue negligent-hiring claims against freight brokers despite federal transportation law. Justice Amy Coney Barrett authored the majority opinion, finding that the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act's safety exception allows states to require brokers to exercise ordinary care when selecting carriers for motor vehicle transportation. The decision stems from a case involving driver Shawn Montgomery, who lost his leg in an accident involving a Mack Truck hauling plastic pots. Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Samuel Alito concurred, though noting the case presented closer questions than the majority suggested. The court determined that negligent-hiring claims "concern" motor vehicles because they directly implicate the trucks used in transportation. The ruling preserves federal preemption for state laws governing prices, routes, and services unrelated to safety.