PHOENIX, Ariz. — A federal jury in Arizona has returned an $8.5 million verdict against Uber Technologies, Inc., in a sexual assault case brought by a former passenger. The jury found the company liable for its role in sending an unsafe Uber driver to pick up the passenger late at night, marking the first bellwether trial to reach a verdict against Uber Technologies, Inc.
The verdict was entered following trial in the United States District Court, District of Arizona, where jurors heard evidence of Uber’s safety practices and its handling of known risks faced by passengers using the rideshare platform. The jury awarded damages to compensate the plaintiff for the harm suffered because of the assault.
“This verdict reflects the jury’s careful consideration of the evidence and the very real consequences of Uber’s failures,” said Ellyn Hurd, a partner at Simmons Hanly Conroy and a member of the plaintiffs’ trial team. “Our team has stood with Ms. Dean through what has been an extraordinarily difficult process. As the first bellwether case involving thousands of survivors nationwide, this outcome sends a clear message.”
Made public for the first time, evidence presented at trial showed that Uber calculates a risk of being sexually assaulted for every ride. Uber’s internal Safety Risk Assessed Dispatch (S-RAD) algorithm rated Ms. Dean’s trip 0.81 out of 1, indicating an elevated risk level. The plaintiffs’ legal team argued that Uber knew through internal data that women riding alone late at night faced heightened risk of sexual assault but marketed itself as a safe transportation option despite knowing the risks. The verdict underscores the responsibility companies owe to the people who rely on their platforms for safe transportation.
This bellwether trial was the first of its kind, testing legal theories that will inform how similar cases move forward. The Uber passenger sexual assault MDL currently includes more than 3,700 plaintiffs across 30 states, with additional cases expected to be filed. The company also faces more than 500 similar cases in California state court.
Simmons Hanly Conroy represents survivors nationwide in complex litigation involving corporate misconduct and failures to protect individuals from preventable harm.
The case was Dean v. Uber Technologies Incorporated (Phoenix, AZ).
Contact us now if you or a loved one experienced assault in a rideshare vehicle.
