Uber found liable for actions of driver who grabbed passenger’s inner thigh

Uber, the rideshare giant, was recently found liable for the behavior of one of its drivers in a disturbing incident that took place in North Carolina. A federal jury in Charlotte awarded the plaintiff $5,000 in damages after the driver grabbed her inner thigh and made inappropriate comments as she was leaving his car. This case is part of a series of sexual assault lawsuits filed against Uber in various jurisdictions across the country.

This particular case is significant as it is the third to go to trial. In a similar case in Arizona, Uber was ordered to pay $8.5 million to a woman who was raped by one of its drivers. However, last year in California, a jury found Uber not liable for the assault of a rider. Uber, in response to the recent verdict, emphasized the relatively small financial judgment and the distinction between battery and sexual assault.

Despite Uber’s claims, the jury’s decision in North Carolina is a positive development for other plaintiffs involved in similar cases. Uber had selected this particular case as a test for the broader group of pending lawsuits, confident in their ability to win. However, the jury sided with the plaintiff, highlighting the company’s accountability for the actions of its drivers.

The ongoing lawsuits against Uber reflect longstanding concerns about the company’s safety record, particularly regarding incidents of sexual assault reported by passengers and drivers. Uber’s classification of drivers as gig workers has allowed the company to distance itself from liability, but the judge overseeing these cases ruled that Uber is indeed responsible for the driver’s actions in North Carolina.

The driver denied the allegations, and Uber claimed that the incident was not reported to law enforcement until three years later when the lawsuit was filed. However, the plaintiff’s attorney argued that the lack of immediate reporting does not negate the validity of the assault. Testimonies from the plaintiff, the driver, and witnesses supported the plaintiff’s claims during the trial.

Looking ahead, U.S. District Court Judge Charles R. Breyer is set to preside over two more sexual assault test case trials against Uber, with the next one scheduled for mid-September in San Francisco. These cases will continue to shed light on Uber’s responsibility for the safety and well-being of its passengers, challenging the company’s long-standing stance on driver misconduct.