California Jury Expands Carrier Liability Across Subcontracting Chains

A California jury awarded $52.1 million after a crash involving a USPS‑subcontracted load, ruling that carrier liability can extend to independent contractors up the supply chain under California law; the decision focused on vicarious liability and Hours of Service violations, signaling heightened exposure for carriers that use subcontractors or independent operators and prompting scrutiny of how firms structure and document contractor relationships.