Evolution of Reasonable Care - Episode 1: How We Got Here Schramm, Montgomery & the Dallas Verdict

Has freight broker liability actually changed? In Episode 1 of FreightSpin’s new legal analysis series, The Evolution of “Reasonable Care,” Darren Brewer examines three landmark legal events that have transformed the conversation surrounding freight broker liability, negligent carrier selection, and transportation law in the United States. This episode explores how the legal discussion evolved from Schramm v. Foster, through the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II, LLC, to the recent Dallas County jury verdict involving C.H. Robinson. Rather than focusing on headlines, this episode asks a much larger question: What does “reasonable care” actually require of a freight broker—and who has the authority to define it? In this episode: • The origin of “reasonable care” in freight brokerage • Schramm v. Foster explained • The Supreme Court’s Montgomery decision and the FAAAA • The Dallas County C.H. Robinson verdict • FMCSA authority versus freight broker responsibility • Carrier vetting and negligent selection • The unanswered legal questions facing the transportation industry This educational discussion is intended for: • Freight Brokers • Motor Carriers • Logistics Professionals • Transportation Attorneys • Insurance Professionals • Safety Managers • Claims Professionals • Supply Chain Executives • Anyone interested in transportation law Chapters 00:00 Introduction – Why “Reasonable Care” Matters 00:40 The Three Cases That Changed Freight Broker Liability 02:01 Schramm v. Foster: The Origin of “Reasonable Care” 04:00 Montgomery v. Caribe: The Supreme Court Decision 06:59 The Dallas County C.H. Robinson Verdict 09:20 What Does “Reasonable Care” Actually Require? 11:45 How C.H. Robinson Says It Vets Carriers 12:54 The FMCSA’s Role vs. Freight Broker Responsibility 15:38 The Unanswered Questions Facing the Freight Industry ⸻ Episode 2 Coming Soon The conversation doesn’t end here. In Episode 2, Darren Brewer examines what “reasonable care” may actually require in practice by analyzing carrier vetting, FMCSA regulations, industry standards, risk management, and the operational questions that continue to shape freight broker liability. Disclaimer: This program is intended solely for educational and informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. The opinions expressed are those of the presenter and are intended to encourage informed discussion regarding transportation law, freight brokerage, and regulatory developments. Subscribe to FreightSpin and follow our pages below. Make sure to turn on notifications so you don’t miss the next episode. ▶ YouTube    / @freightspin   💼 LinkedIn   / freightspin   🎥 TikTok   / freightspin   𝕏 (Twitter/X) https://x.com/RealFreightspin