A federal jury in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina found Uber Technologies, Inc. liable for a passenger assault that occurred on March 26, 2019, and awarded the plaintiff $5,000 in damages.
The assault involved a driver who grabbed the plaintiff, Brianna Mensing, during a ride. The jury applied the common carrier doctrine, holding Uber responsible for the driver’s conduct. The award of $5,000 reflects the jury’s assessment of the incident’s severity and the company’s legal exposure.
This verdict is the second bellwether trial in a multi‑district litigation (MDL) that now includes more than 3,000 passenger sexual‑assault and harassment claims. The first bellwether trial in Arizona resulted in an $8.5 million award. Uber has said it will appeal, arguing that the jury was incorrectly instructed on liability and that its drivers are independent contractors.
In a statement, Uber said, "The jury's award here should further bring these cases back to reality, as it represents a tiny fraction of previous demands." The company also noted it has strong grounds for appeal. Mensing’s attorneys emphasized that her goal was accountability, not monetary compensation, stating, "I'm not after anybody's money."
The ruling reinforces the growing body of precedent that treats ride‑sharing platforms as common carriers, imposing a non‑delegable duty to protect passengers. If upheld, the decision could compel Uber to revise its driver‑classification policies, enhance safety protocols, and potentially increase litigation costs across the MDL.
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