Hundreds of women have filed lawsuits against Uber, alleging that the company has failed to protect passengers from sexual assault. Recently, a panel of judges has ruled that about 80 of these cases can be consolidated and heard together in federal court.
Key Points:
- A panel of judges has ruled that 80 cases of sexual assault victims suing Uber can be joined together in federal court.
- All pretrial matters will be heard under Judge Charles Breyer in the Northern District of California.
- The incidents cited in the lawsuits range from alleged groping to kidnapping to rape.
- The victims claim Uber could have done more to make rides safer, such as fingerprint background checks and dashcam recordings of every ride.
- Uber has been sued countless times over the past several years by passengers alleging sexual assault.
In a pivotal moment for victims of sexual assault, a panel of judges has ruled that approximately 80 cases of women who have filed lawsuits against Uber can be joined together in a federal court. This ruling represents a significant step in the ongoing legal battle against the ride-sharing giant, which has faced countless allegations of failing to protect passengers from sexual assault.
All pretrial matters, including witness and expert depositions and document discovery, will be heard under Judge Charles Breyer in the Northern District of California. This is a crucial development, as the documents obtained during the pretrial phase are expected to shed light on the extent of the sexual assault problem from drivers to riders. As stated by attorney Bret Stanley, “those documents are going to help show, we believe, that the sexual assault problem from drivers to riders is a massive problem.”
The incidents cited in the lawsuits range from alleged groping to kidnapping to rape. It’s worth noting that while there have also been reports of Uber drivers being victims of sexual assault, this specific grouping of cases only involves passenger incidents. The victims allege that Uber has the capacity to make rides safer but has been slow and inadequate in its response to these incidents. They claim that Uber’s background checks are substandard and that the company doesn’t always remove drivers after sexual assault allegations are filed. The victims also suggested that Uber could implement additional safety measures, such as fingerprint background checks and dashcam recordings of every ride.
In a statement, Uber spokesperson Gabriela Condarco-Quesada expressed that “sexual assault is a horrific crime, and we take every report of this nature very seriously.” She added that while the company cannot comment on pending litigation, Uber is “deeply committed to the safety of all users on the Uber platform.”
The outcome of this legal battle will have far-reaching implications for both Uber and the victims involved. It will be interesting to see how the cases unfold in their respective states and whether Judge Breyer will decide to take on a “bellwether trial” to act as a representative trial for all the cases. The process is expected to take up to two years, and with cases continuing to be filed, the numbers are expected to be in the thousands.
The recent ruling that allows for the consolidation of sexual assault cases against Uber is a significant step forward for victims seeking justice. The legal battle that ensues will undoubtedly shed light on the extent of the problem and the steps that need to be taken to ensure the safety of passengers. It is important that victims are empowered with knowledge and supported in their quest for justice, as they navigate the complex legal landscape that surrounds these types of cases.
