Summary
A U.S. court ordered Uber to pay $8.5 million to a woman who claimed she was raped by a driver. The jury found Uber responsible because the driver acted on the company's behalf. Uber plans to appeal the decision.
Key Facts
- A U.S. court ruled that Uber must pay $8.5 million to Jaylynn Dean, who said a driver raped her in 2023.
- The case was heard in Arizona, where a jury decided Uber was responsible for the driver's actions.
- The court's decision could affect 2,500 other similar cases against Uber.
- The jury found Uber liable under the "apparent agency doctrine", meaning the driver represented Uber while working for them.
- Dean's other claims for negligence and defective safety systems by Uber were rejected.
- The court did not award Dean more than $144 million in additional punitive damages.
- Uber argued its drivers are independent contractors and that the assault was not foreseeable.
- Uber plans to appeal the verdict and maintains it invests in rider safety.
