Sex Assault Verdict Against Uber Signals Long-Overdue Accountability and Growing Opposition to the Rideshare Giant

Alliance Against Corporate Abuse issues statement regarding verdict against Uber and its impact on California

SACRAMENTO, CA — Today, a federal jury ruled against Uber in a bellwether sexual assault case brought by a passenger as it faces thousands of similar claims nationwide and heightened scrutiny over its safety practices. 

“Today’s verdict is a win for survivors and consumers, and it’s a sign of what’s to come — long-overdue accountability for Uber, delivered through a justice system that protects people when corporations won’t,” said campaign spokesperson Alex Stack. “Uber is using the same tactics in California as it used in this trial: limit victims’ rights, cap recoveries, and make it harder for injured people to hold the company accountable. When juries hear the facts, they rule against Uber — and California voters will soon have the chance to do the same.”

This verdict follows a series of legal setbacks for Uber. Earlier this month, a federal judge rejected Uber’s attempt to delay the bellwether sexual assault trial and denied the company’s effort to block public advertising drawing attention to its safety record. The court refused to silence ads warning consumers that reports of sexual assault or misconduct were made to Uber nearly every eight minutes and declined Uber’s attempt to halt a trial examining the company’s role in an alleged rape. The ads will be running across California during Sunday’s Super Bowl.

In response to Uber’s flagrant attempts to skirt accountability, CAOC submitted three initiatives in October: the People’s Right to Contract With Counsel of Choice Act, the Sexual Assault Against Rideshare Passengers and Drivers Prevention and Accountability Act, and the Rideshare Public Accountability Act. Last month, CAOC announced raising over $50 million into its ballot measure committees to fight Uber’s deceptive ballot initiative that “limits automobile accident victims’ recovery of medical expenses.”