Brandon Wins Appeal Over Trucker Termination
The Indiana Court of Appeals has revived a fired truck driver’s lawsuit, ruling that a company cannot dodge liability by claiming it never knew its dispatcher encouraged the driver to falsify hours. In a 2-1 decision, the court held that Caregan Transport can still be held responsible for the alleged wrongful termination even if its top managers were unaware of the dispatcher’s pressure.
The dispute began when Brandon refused to log more hours than federal rules allowed. He says dispatcher “Mike” told him to keep driving anyway and threatened his job if he logged correctly. Brandon was fired two weeks later. Caregan argued it could not be sued because its owners never personally ordered the illegal logbook pressure. The appeals court disagreed, saying a company can be on the hook when its employees act within the scope of their jobs—even if upper management stays in the dark.
The ruling matters because it keeps the case alive for trial and signals that trucking firms cannot escape responsibility by pointing fingers at rogue dispatchers. Fleet owners now face a stronger incentive to train staff and monitor how hours-of-service rules are actually enforced on the road.
Bottom Line: A company can still be sued for a dispatcher’s illegal orders even if the boss never heard about them.
https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/10936136/gregory-brandon-v-caregan-transport-inc/
What steps does your company take to ensure dispatchers follow hours-of-service rules?