Freightliner Corp. v. Myrick

Summary

The Court, in an opinion by Justice Thomas, held that state common-law claims alleging negligent failure to install antilock braking systems on tractor-trailers were neither expressly nor impliedly preempted by federal law. The relevant federal safety requirements had been suspended, leaving no operative standard that could expressly preempt state requirements or conflict with the tort claims. The Court also rejected the argument that an express preemption clause categorically forecloses implied preemption. It affirmed the Eleventh Circuit’s judgment reversing summary judgment for the manufacturers. Justice Scalia concurred in the judgment without a separate written opinion.