NW Arkansas Attorney Grace Johnson for Heavy Duty Trucking  - Supreme Court Ruling Puts Freight Broker Vetting Practices in Spotlight

Heavy Duty Trucking

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Not everyone believes the ruling dramatically changes the legal landscape.

Grace Keegan Johnson, a transportation attorney with Hall Estill, said many national brokers were already exposed to negligent-selection claims because they operate across multiple jurisdictions.

“This opinion confirms brokers have a duty and should be aware they can be sued and potentially held liable for not taking the extra steps necessary to ensure the carrier is authorized and has a good safety record,” Johnson said.

But she added that brokers operating nationwide likely already had compliance procedures in place because lawsuits could previously be filed in jurisdictions where such claims were allowed.

“For brokers who operate across the country, this opinion does not impact them much,” she said.