Uber Faces Consolidated Sexual Assault Cases in Federal Court
More than 175 individual sexual assault cases against Uber have been consolidated in federal court, with each case alleging that the ride-share company has failed to adequately protect its passengers. The parties involved recently came together before a federal judge in San Francisco for the first time, setting the stage for further legal proceedings.
Although Uber’s terms of use prevent class-action lawsuits in cases of sexual assault, plaintiffs’ attorneys argued that the similar nature of the current cases justifies what is known as multidistrict litigation. This legal approach brings together similar cases from multiple court districts, allowing for a consolidated examination of the allegations against Uber.
Over the coming months, U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer will preside over pretrial matters concerning all the cases. He will determine whether to proceed with a bellwether trial, which involves selecting a sample of lawsuits from the larger group of cases. If Judge Breyer decides against a bellwether trial, the individual cases will return to their respective home states for separate trials.
This recent consolidation of lawsuits adds to the mounting legal pressure facing Uber. Another set of consolidated lawsuits has also been filed, accusing the company of failing to ensure passenger safety in California.
Bret Stanley, a Houston-based personal injury lawyer representing one of the approximately 15 firms involved in Uber’s multidistrict litigation, expressed concerns over the company’s priorities. He stated, We think they’re putting profits over safety every day.
The outcome of these consolidated sexual assault cases will undoubtedly have significant implications for Uber and the broader ride-sharing industry. As the legal proceedings progress, all eyes will be on Judge Breyer’s decisions and the potential precedents they may set.
Sources:
– Ericka Cruz Guevarra/KQED
– Uber
