California Jury Clears Uber in First 2016 Sexual-Assault Bellwether Case
A California jury ruled that Uber is not legally responsible for a 2016 sexual assault alleged by a plaintiff identified as Jessica C. The jury found Uber was negligent in its safety practices but concluded that the negligence was not a “substantial factor” in causing the attack, clearing the company of liability in this bellwether trial.
Key facts
- Plaintiff: Identified as Jessica C., who says she was 18 and a college student when the attack occurred during a 2016 Uber ride to San Jose airport.
- Allegations: The driver allegedly deviated from the route, groped and kissed the plaintiff, attempted to remove her pants, and assaulted her. The plaintiff testified she feared for her life and later developed PTSD and dropped out of school.
- Legal ruling: Under California law, the jury found Uber negligent but determined that the company’s negligence was not a substantial factor in causing the assault — therefore Uber is not liable in this case.
- Discovery and scope: Plaintiff attorneys say discovery revealed more than 558,000 trips reported sexual assault or sexual misconduct (2017–2024), an allegation that plaintiffs argue shows a broader safety problem at scale.
Reactions
Plaintiff’s attorneys criticized the trial for permitting evidence they say shifted blame onto the victim and warned the verdict could discourage other victims from coming forward. “It’s a sad day for victims of sexual abuse across the country,” said John Taylor of Taylor & Ring.
Uber said the driver had passed background checks and that while the company has implemented numerous safety measures, it cannot guarantee driver misconduct will never occur. Uber’s safety head testified that passengers use the service at their own risk. Uber added it will continue working to improve platform safety.
Why this matters
This was the first bellwether case among hundreds consolidated in state and federal court; its outcome could shape legal strategies and public debate in thousands of pending lawsuits alleging kidnapping, sexual assault, battery, false imprisonment, stalking, harassment, or other attacks by drivers.
Sources
Note: The reported figure of 558,000+ trips comes from plaintiffs’ disclosures in the litigation. Independent confirmation of that exact figure across all reporting is limited in public news articles; readers should consult court filings and primary sources for precise details.