E.J., a Las Vegas resident, claims she was sexually assaulted by an Uber driver on May 1, 2024, during a ride in Clark County, Nevada. The case joins the sprawling In Re: Uber Technologies, Inc., Passenger Sexual Assault Litigation, MDL No. 3084, which consolidates hundreds of similar claims against the ride-sharing giant and its subsidiaries Rasier LLC and Rasier-CA LLC.
The plaintiff filed a streamlined short-form complaint that incorporates by reference the master long-form complaint's extensive allegations against Uber, which include claims of negligent hiring and supervision, fraud, common carrier duties, vicarious liability, and strict products liability. E.J. was the account holder for the Uber ride in question and has not excluded any of the standard causes of action available in the MDL proceedings.
The case represents another addition to what has become one of the largest consolidated sexual assault litigations against a technology platform. The MDL, overseen by U.S. District Judge Charles R. Breyer, has established detailed case management procedures allowing new plaintiffs to join through these abbreviated filings rather than drafting entirely new complaints.
The short-form complaint format was established under Case Management Order No. 11, which streamlines the process for new plaintiffs to join the litigation. E.J.'s filing indicates she previously disclosed ride information pursuant to Pretrial Order No. 5 on December 28, 2023, suggesting her case has been in preparation for some time.
The complaint seeks economic and non-economic compensatory damages, punitive damages, interest, costs, and attorney fees. E.J. has demanded a jury trial on all claims, consistent with the approach taken by other plaintiffs in the MDL.
The Uber MDL has become a significant test case for how courts handle mass tort litigation against technology platforms, particularly regarding questions of driver screening, platform safety features, and the companies' duties to passengers. The consolidated proceedings allow for coordinated discovery and potentially uniform rulings on key legal issues affecting all plaintiffs.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about passenger safety in the ride-sharing industry, with Uber facing mounting litigation over driver screening procedures and platform security measures. The company has previously stated it has implemented enhanced safety features, but plaintiffs argue these measures remain inadequate.