Uber Sexual Assault
OpenFILINGCausation
Plaintiffs allege Uber's negligent hiring practices (inadequate background checks), deficient safety features (no in-car cameras, delayed emergency response), and growth-at-all-costs corporate culture created foreseeable conditions for sexual assault. Uber's own US Safety Reports (2017-2020) documented 9,805 sexual assault incidents including 141 rapes, establishing corporate knowledge of the systemic danger. Expert testimony on platform liability theory argues Uber exercises sufficient control over the driver-passenger interaction to bear duty of care.
Defendants
| Entity | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Uber Technologies, Inc. | Platform Operator | Primary defendant — operates rideshare platform connecting drivers with passengers |
| Rasier LLC | Operating Subsidiary | Uber subsidiary that contracts with drivers — named in employment-related claims |
| Uber B.V. | International Entity | Netherlands-based entity — international operations and data processing |
Litigation Timeline
Intelligence Signals
Official JPML monthly report. Historical total 5,552. Judge Charles R. Breyer, CAN.
Breyer groups states by liability standard and is trying a bellwether in each group rather than rotating picks. He declines defense requests to cut off tag-along filings after 6-12 months. Pfizer (on same panel) prefers random bellwether selection; in Zoloft 8 of 12 defense picks were dismissed immediately.
Key Facts
- Status
- active
Geographic Exposure
Eligibility Criteria
- ✓Passenger who used Uber rideshare service
- ✓Experienced sexual assault, harassment, or physical assault by driver
- ✓Incident occurred during or immediately surrounding an Uber ride
- ✓Reported incident to law enforcement and/or Uber platform
- ✓Claims not barred by valid arbitration agreement (multiple courts have invalidated)