A federal jury in Arizona ordered Uber to pay $8.5m to Jaylynn Dean after finding the company liable under the apparent agency doctrine for a 2023 sexual assault by one of its drivers. The jury awarded compensatory damages but rejected claims of negligence and denied the more than $144m in punitive damages sought. Dean's case is one of 20 bellwether trials expected to influence roughly 2,500 similar lawsuits; Uber says it will appeal.
Federal Jury Orders Uber To Pay $8.5M After Finding Company Liable For Driver’s 2023 Sexual Assault
[Bloomberg via Getty Images]
A federal jury in Arizona has ordered Uber to pay $8.5m (£6.2m) to Jaylynn Dean after finding the company legally responsible for a sexual assault committed by one of its drivers in 2023. The verdict — part of a set of early "bellwether" trials — could shape outcomes in thousands of similar lawsuits against the ride‑hailing firm.
Jury Findings and Damages
After two days of deliberation, jurors found Uber liable under the apparent agency doctrine, concluding the driver was acting on the company's behalf when the assault occurred. The jury awarded $8.5m in compensatory damages but declined to grant the more than $144m in punitive damages sought by the plaintiff. Jurors also rejected separate claims that Uber had been negligent or that its safety systems were defective.
Plaintiff’s Account and Legal Argument
Jaylynn Dean testified that she was sexually assaulted while taking an Uber to her hotel in 2023. Her attorneys told the court Uber was aware of a wave of assaults by drivers and failed to take fundamental steps to improve rider safety. A lead lawyer for Dean said the verdict "validates the thousands of survivors who have come forward at great personal risk."
Uber’s Response
Uber said it intends to appeal. The company argued drivers are independent contractors and undergo background checks as part of its vetting process; lawyers for Uber also said the incident was not foreseeable because the driver had high passenger ratings and no criminal record. A spokesperson noted the jury rejected claims of negligence and declined punitive damages, saying the verdict affirmed Uber's investment in rider safety.
Attorney Sarah London: "This decision validates the thousands of survivors who have come forward at great personal risk. Ultimately, accountability will be measured by the outcomes of ongoing litigation and whether meaningful safety reforms are implemented."
Broader Impact
Dean's case is one of 20 bellwether trials being heard sequentially; those verdicts are expected to inform legal strategy and settlements in roughly 2,500 federal suits alleging similar claims. Legal experts say bellwether outcomes can influence negotiations and regulatory scrutiny, though each case will still turn on its particular facts and legal theories.
The ruling underscores wider questions about platform liability, driver classification and passenger safety that regulators, courts and ride‑hailing companies continue to confront worldwide.
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