Uber ordered to pay $8.5 million in landmark rider safety trial
An Arizona jury has delivered a verdict against Uber, awarding $8.5 million to a plaintiff in the first trial stemming from thousands of lawsuits alleging sexual assault and misconduct by drivers on the ride-sharing platform. The ruling, which found Uber liable under an “apparent agency” theory, sets a significant precedent as it could influence the resolution of approximately 3,000 similar consolidated federal cases nationwide.
The plaintiff, Jaylynn Dean, alleged she was raped by her Uber driver in November 2023 while en route to her hotel. The jury’s decision in the U.S. District Court in Phoenix did not find Uber liable for negligence or design defects, and did not award punitive damages.
Uber has stated its intention to appeal the verdict. A spokesperson for the company commented, “This verdict affirms that Uber acted responsibly and has invested meaningfully in rider safety. We will continue to put safety at the heart of everything we do.”
The legal strategy for Uber has largely centered on its classification of drivers as independent contractors, arguing that the company should not be held responsible for individual drivers’ misconduct. This legal stance has been a point of contention, particularly in light of past reports. For instance, The New York Times reported last year that Uber received over 400,000 reports of sexual assault and misconduct between 2017 and 2022, a figure significantly higher than previously disclosed. Uber’s own safety report released in August indicated a 44% decrease in serious sexual assaults on its platform.
In response to these concerns, Uber has implemented several safety enhancements, including an in-app emergency button and a PIN verification system for drivers and riders. More recently, the company began a pilot program in the U.S. allowing female drivers and riders to opt out of being paired with male drivers.
The legal challenges extend beyond Uber, with rival ride-sharing company Lyft also facing lawsuits related to sexual assault and harassment allegations. These cases underscore the ongoing scrutiny of safety protocols and corporate liability within the rapidly evolving gig economy and transportation technology sector. The “apparent agency” finding in this Arizona trial could represent a pivotal moment in how such liability is assessed for platform-based services, potentially impacting the broader industry’s operational and legal frameworks.
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