In a consequential decision issued by a federal jury in Arizona this week, the ride-hailing company Uber was found legally liable for a sexual assault that occurred during a 2023 trip arranged through its platform. The jury's verdict requires Uber to pay $8.5 million in damages to Jaylynn Dean, who accused one of Uber's drivers of raping her during a ride.
This ruling emerges amid prolonged scrutiny over Uber's safety protocols, particularly relating to sexual assault allegations involving both passengers and drivers. Historically, Uber has classified its drivers as gig economy contractors rather than employees, a designation the company has cited to mitigate legal responsibility for drivers’ conduct.
Ellyn Hurd, an attorney representing Dean, highlighted the significance of the jury’s findings by stating, "Uber invests billions to project an image that riders are safely under their umbrella. The jury confirmed this representation by recognizing the driver as an apparent agent of Uber, thereby attributing liability to the company." Hurd further expressed pride in her client’s courage confronting a major corporation and underscored the broader implications this decision may have for similar cases in the future.
Uber intends to contest the decision by filing an appeal. A company spokesperson, Andrew Hasbun, emphasized that the jury did not find Uber negligent nor its safety systems defective, asserting that the verdict affirms the company's responsible actions and substantial investments in rider safety. Hasbun also mentioned that the awarded amount was significantly less than the total sum initially sought by the plaintiff's attorneys.
The case revolves around an incident from November 2023 when Dean, then 19 years old, was returning to her hotel after attending a celebratory gathering for her upcoming graduation from flight attendant training. During the ride, the driver allegedly stopped the vehicle, moved to the back seat, and assaulted her. The driver’s identity has not been disclosed nor included in the civil lawsuit.
The legal complaint, filed the following month, argued that Uber had long been aware of sexual assaults committed by its drivers yet failed to implement sufficient safety measures to prevent such incidents. The lawsuit characterized the company's response as "slow and inadequate," asserting that customer safety was severely compromised as a result.
Uber has publicized multiple initiatives aimed at enhancing rider security. Notably, in 2021 it collaborated with Lyft to establish a shared database documenting drivers removed from their platforms for allegations including sexual assault. The company reports a decline in sexual assault cases within its rides nationwide—5,981 incidents between 2017 and 2018, compared to 2,717 between 2021 and 2022—representing a very small fraction of total trips.
Nonetheless, critics argue that ride-hailing services must enhance protective measures and accept clearer legal accountability in assault cases. Sarah London, another attorney for Dean, commented that the verdict empowers survivors who have spoke out despite risks in seeking accountability from Uber. She acknowledged, however, that the legal battle is only at a preliminary stage given the volume of cases still pending and emphasized that true justice will depend on both litigation outcomes and the implementation of meaningful safety reforms.
Dean's willingness to be publicly identified distinguishes her case from many others involving sexual abuse victims, spotlighting her pursuit of legal recourse and reform.