ALGERIA BEGINS TO CANCEL AIR SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH UAE. (PHOTO)
Uber has been ordered to pay $8.5 million to a plaintiff in Arizona, marking the first trial among thousands of lawsuits alleging sexual assault and misconduct by drivers on the ridesharing platform.
The case involves Jaylynn Dean, who said she was raped by her Uber driver in November 2023 while returning to her hotel. A U.S. District Court jury in Phoenix found Uber liable under apparent agency, though it did not hold the company responsible for negligence or design defects, nor did it award punitive damages. The verdict sets a precedent for roughly 3,000 similar cases consolidated in federal court across the country.
A spokesperson for Uber said the company “acted responsibly and has invested meaningfully in rider safety” and plans to appeal the decision. Dean’s attorney called the verdict a “victory” that highlights the risks survivors have taken to hold Uber accountable for prioritizing profit over passenger safety.
Uber classifies its drivers as independent contractors and has consistently argued it should not be held responsible for their misconduct. The company reported implementing new safety measures, including an in-app emergency button, pin verification, and a pilot program allowing women riders and drivers to opt out of being paired with male drivers.
Reports have shown that Uber received over 400,000 sexual assault and misconduct claims between 2017 and 2022, far more than previously disclosed. In its most recent report, the company said serious sexual assaults on the platform had dropped by 44%. Competitor Lyft has faced similar lawsuits over sexual assault and harassment incidents involving its drivers.
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