A federal jury in Arizona found Uber liable in a significant case of sexual assault, ordering the rideshare company to pay $8.5 million to Jaylynn Dean, a woman who alleged that one of its drivers raped her during a ride in November 2023. This verdict highlights ongoing concerns about Uber's safety record and the numerous incidents of sexual assault reported by both passengers and drivers using the platform.
The verdict, reached on a Thursday, comes amid years of scrutiny regarding Uber's categorization of its drivers as gig workers. This classification has allowed the company to argue that it is not responsible for the actions of its drivers. However, attorney Ellyn Hurd, representing Dean, emphasized that the jury determined the driver acted as an “apparent agent” of Uber, thereby making the company liable for the assault.
During a statement, Hurd expressed pride in her client for confronting such a powerful corporation and noted that the outcome could pave the way for similar cases in the future. Although the jury did not find Uber negligent or responsible for having faulty safety systems, the company plans to appeal the decision. A spokesperson for Uber, Andrew Hasbun, remarked that the ruling confirms the company's commitment to rider safety and pointed out that the financial penalty was significantly lower than what Dean's legal team initially sought.
The lawsuit stems from an incident where Dean, then 19 years old, was returning to her hotel after celebrating her graduation from flight attendant training. The complaint alleges that during the ride, the driver unexpectedly stopped the car, entered the back seat, and assaulted her. Importantly, the driver was neither named nor included in the civil suit against Uber.
The plaintiffs argued that Uber had long been aware of incidents of assault involving its drivers but failed to implement necessary safety measures. The complaint filed in December 2023 described Uber's response as “slow and inadequate,” asserting that it jeopardized the lives and wellbeing of its customers.
In its defense, San Francisco-based Uber stated that it has made substantial strides to enhance safety on its platform, including a partnership with Lyft in 2021 that aimed to create a shared database of drivers removed from both services due to complaints of sexual assault and other crimes. Despite claims from Uber that sexual assault reports have significantly decreased—reporting 5,981 incidents in U.S. rides from 2017 to 2018 compared to 2,717 incidents from 2021 to 2022—critics argue that ridesharing companies require stronger safeguards to protect consumers effectively.
Attorney Sarah London, who also represents Dean, noted that the verdict serves as validation for survivors who have bravely come forward to demand accountability from Uber. While expressing gratitude for the judgment for Dean, she acknowledged that many other cases exist, asserting that “justice will ultimately be measured by the outcomes of ongoing litigation and whether meaningful safety reforms are implemented to protect passengers going forward.”
This case reflects broader societal concerns regarding the safety of rideshare services and the responsibilities of such companies in safeguarding their users. As Uber prepares to appeal the jury's decision, the implications of this case may influence future legal standards regarding corporate liability in instances of misconduct by independent contractors.
