Uber sexual assault lawsuit overview:
- Who: Uber Technologies Inc. settled a lawsuit brought by a Texas woman identified as Jane Doe.
- Why: The confidential settlement resolved claims that an Uber driver sexually assaulted the woman in 2020.
- Where: The Uber sexual assault lawsuit was settled in Texas federal court.
- How to get help: Were you or a loved one sexually assaulted by an Uber or Lyft driver? You may have legal options, including a confidential case review.
Uber has settled with a Texas woman just before opening statements in the third scheduled bellwether trial over alleged sexual assaults by its drivers. A bellwether trial helps both sides gauge how juries may respond to similar claims.
Plaintiff Jane Doe alleged an Uber driver sexually assaulted her on June 9, 2020, in connection with a ride in Tarrant County, Texas. Her attorneys announced the settlement on Oct. 2, less than two days after a jury was selected. The terms of the settlement are confidential.
According to a Law360 report, Doe’s court filings claimed the driver was able to work for Uber despite an outstanding criminal charge and arrest warrant stemming from an assault. She alleged failures in Uber’s background check process allowed a dangerous driver onto the platform.
Doe’s attorneys said Uber stipulated during jury selection that it would not contest that the assault took place. They also said the driver was convicted of sexual assault and sentenced to 11 years in prison.
In a joint statement, the attorneys said Uber “chose to resolve this case rather than let a jury hear the evidence.” Uber did not immediately respond to a request for comment, Law360 reports.
Uber MDL judge urges broader deal as about 5,000 cases wait
The Uber sexual assault lawsuit was part of the Uber multidistrict litigation (MDL), which groups similar federal cases before a single judge. Approximately 5,000 other cases are still awaiting resolution, Doe’s attorneys told Law360.
Judge Charles Breyer, who oversees the Uber MDL, has criticized the company for settling small sets of cases and encouraged it to consider a universal settlement, according to Bloomberg Law.
The settlement follows two bellwether verdicts against Uber earlier this year. An Arizona jury awarded one woman $8.5 million in February, and a North Carolina jury awarded another $5,000 in April after finding a driver committed battery.
The litigation alleges Uber has known since 2014 that Uber drivers sexually assaulted passengers and failed to adopt safety measures, such as cameras and enhanced background checks.
What do you think of the settlement in this Uber sexual assault lawsuit? Let us know in the comments.
Doe is represented by Kevin Queenan of Queenan Law Firm P.C.; Rachel B. Abrams of Peiffer Wolf Carr Kane Conway & Wise LLP; Sarah R. London of Girard Sharp LLC; Roopal P. Luhana of Chaffin Luhana LLP; Alexandra M. Walsh of Anapol Weiss; Deborah Chang of Chang Klein LLP; and Khaldoun Baghdadi of Walkup Melodia Kelly & Schoenberger.
The Uber sexual assault lawsuit is Jane Doe QLF 001 v. Uber Technologies Inc., et al., Case No. 1:26-cv-01694, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. The Uber MDL is In re: Uber Technologies Inc. Passenger Sexual Assault Litigation, Case No. 3:23-md-03084, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
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