Uber Ordered to Pay $8.5M in Arizona Sexual Assault Case

Uber Ordered to Pay $8.5 Million in Sexual Assault Case, Setting Stage for Thousands More

PHOENIX – A federal jury in Phoenix, Arizona, on Thursday, February 5, 2026, ordered Uber to pay $8.5 million to a woman who alleged she was sexually assaulted by a driver while using the ride-hailing service in 2023. The verdict marks the first time Uber has been found liable for a driver’s sexual assault of a passenger in the United States, and could significantly influence the outcome of over 3,000 similar cases pending against the company.

The case centered on Jaylynn Dean, who claimed she was raped by an Uber driver in November 2023 after hiring a ride from her boyfriend’s home to her hotel in Tempe, Arizona. Dean was reportedly intoxicated at the time of the alleged assault.

Dean’s attorneys argued that Uber marketed itself as a safe service for individuals who had been drinking, despite internal data and numerous complaints indicating that this demographic was at a heightened risk of experiencing sexual assault. They also contended that Uber failed to adequately vet the driver’s criminal background, both in the U.S. And in his country of origin.

Dean’s legal team pointed out that Uber did not offer female driver options or in-ride video or audio recording at the time of the incident.

Uber countered that it could not be held responsible for the actions of its drivers, as they are classified as independent contractors rather than employees. The company reportedly argued that Dean consented to sexual relations, despite the driver admitting she was too intoxicated to provide consent.

The jury, after deliberating for nearly three days, found Uber liable on one of three charges brought against it. Uber dismissed the driver for engaging in sexual activity during a ride, a violation of company policy.

While the jury awarded Dean $8.5 million in compensatory damages, they declined to award any punitive damages. Dean’s attorneys had initially sought more than $140 million in total damages, requesting $24 million in compensatory damages and $120 million in punitive damages.

Uber plans to appeal the verdict. In a statement, a company spokesperson noted the jury rejected claims of negligence and defects in Uber’s safety systems, stating that the verdict “affirms that Uber acted responsibly and has invested meaningfully in rider safety.”

Sarah London, an attorney representing Dean, hailed the decision as a validation of the experiences of “thousands of survivors who have come forward at great personal risk to demand accountability against Uber for its focus on profit over passenger safety.”

The outcome of this “bellwether” trial is expected to serve as a precedent in other litigation against Uber. Bloomberg Intelligence estimates that Uber could potentially face settlements exceeding $500 million if it continues to lose early trials in the thousands of pending cases.

In July 2022, approximately 550 women in California filed a lawsuit against Uber alleging sexual assault by drivers. This case, along with the more than 3,000 others consolidated in federal court, underscores the ongoing scrutiny of ride-hailing companies regarding passenger safety.