Uber Not Held Liable in Sexual Assault Case

A California judge has ruled that Uber is not liable for a sexual assault allegedly committed by a driver from the app, according to the plaintiff’s attorney.

In a civil trial that spanned three weeks at the San Francisco Superior Court, the judge determined Uber was negligent regarding safety measures for anonymous women. However, this negligence was not deemed a significant factor in causing harm, as stated by one of the lawyers, Celine Cutter.

This case is notable as it is the first of over 500 claims of this nature consolidated in California courts, with an additional 2,500 similar allegations in federal courts.

The plaintiff, identified as Jessica C, filed her lawsuit in 2021, alleging that she was assaulted by an Uber driver in 2016.

During the ride, she claimed the driver took her down side streets, where he restrained her, groped her, and kissed her without consent.

Two of her trial attorneys, William Levin and Laurel Sims, did not respond to inquiries following the case.

In response, an Uber spokesperson stated that the company has been working to improve safety standards and will continue these efforts in the coming years.

The woman’s case was selected as a “pioneer” trial within a larger group of similar cases. Such trials serve to evaluate the merits of claims and guide potential settlement negotiations.

The plaintiff’s attorney sought damages ranging from $175,000 to $1.2 million for each year of her life, without suggesting a specific amount for punitive damages.

Concerns Over Safety Practices

The lawsuit posits that Uber was aware of ongoing attacks by drivers but failed to disclose data regarding these incidents, neglecting to implement adequate safety measures.

While the plaintiffs argued that Uber could reduce the risk of assaults by implementing certain strategies, like assigning female drivers to female passengers, the company has maintained that it should not be held liable for criminal actions by drivers.

Despite improvements and initiatives aimed at enhancing safety, Uber’s reputation in this area remains fragile. In a recent safety report covering 2021-2022, the company claimed a 44% decrease in serious sexual assault reports since their first report in 2017-2018. However, critics insist that substantial risks persist, as thousands of cases are still on record.

Amidst these ongoing concerns, a U.S. House subcommittee has reached out to Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, following a New York Times report, for clarification on the company’s procedures to prevent sexual assaults during rides.