Uber Sexual Assault Lawsuit Update

What the Uber sexual assault lawsuit is about

Thousands of riders have sued Uber alleging that drivers sexually assaulted, battered, or harassed them during rides arranged through the app. The lawsuits allege that Uber knew about the risk, did not adopt available safety measures such as stronger screening and in-car cameras, and marketed its rides as safe. Uber disputes the allegations. Most federal cases are coordinated in MDL-3084 before Senior Judge Charles R. Breyer in the Northern District of California, which the JPML created on October 4, 2023. Uber also faces a separate coordinated proceeding in California state court.

A similar but separate federal MDL covers Lyft. See the Lyft sexual assault lawsuit guide.

Uber sexual assault lawsuit update

The third bellwether settled before opening statements. The Texas bellwether known as Jane Doe QLF 001 settled on confidential terms in early October 2026, after jury selection, Top Class Actions reported. It was the third federal case set for trial.

The October 1, 2026 JPML report lists 4,916 pending actions in MDL-3084, up 328 from 4,588 on September 1. Its 5,221 total historical actions include cases no longer pending. Neither number is a count of people eligible for payment.

Case status snapshot

• Federal proceeding: MDL-3084, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
• Judge: Senior Judge Charles R. Breyer
• JPML transfer date: October 4, 2023
• Pending actions: 4,916 as of October 1, 2026
• Trials so far: $8.5 million verdict (Arizona, February 2026), $5,000 verdict (North Carolina, April 2026), and one confidential settlement before trial (Texas, October 2026)
• Settlement: no global program announced

Bellwether trial results

February 5, 2026: $8.5 million verdict in Phoenix

In the first federal bellwether, a Phoenix jury awarded Jaylynn Dean $8.5 million in compensatory damages after finding that the driver was acting as Uber's agent. The jury did not award punitive damages; her lawyers had asked for more than $140 million. Uber said it would appeal. (Reuters)

April 2026: $5,000 verdict in North Carolina

After a four-day trial in the Western District of North Carolina, a jury found Uber legally responsible for a 2019 incident in which a driver grabbed a rider's thigh, and awarded $5,000. The plaintiff testified that she wanted accountability rather than money. (plaintiffs' counsel)

October 2026: third bellwether settled

The Texas case settled on confidential terms after jury selection. No later trial date had been publicly confirmed in the records reviewed.

For readers: The verdicts were very different because the facts were very different. They show how juries reacted to specific evidence, not what other claims are worth. Verdicts can also change after post-trial motions and appeals.

In California state court, the first Uber sexual assault trial ended in September 2025 with a verdict for Uber: the jury found Uber negligent but found that negligence was not a substantial factor in the plaintiff's harm (Reuters).

Who may be affected

The cases involve riders who report being sexually assaulted, raped, groped, or harassed, or held against their will, by a driver during a ride arranged through Uber. Claim review usually looks at the trip record, what happened, how and when it was reported, who booked the ride, any injuries and treatment, and the state where it happened.

Filing deadlines vary by state, and several states have special rules for sexual assault claims. Joining the MDL does not extend a personal deadline, so the timing should be reviewed early.

Support after a sexual assault

This page is legal information, not counseling or medical advice. The National Sexual Assault Hotline is available 24/7 at 800-656-4673 or through online chat at online.rainn.org. In an emergency, call 911.

Sources and status notes

Case counts use the JPML reports for October 1, September 1 and August 3, 2026. The court assignment and transfer date use the JPML by-number report. Trial results come from news and counsel reports linked above, because the verdict forms are not posted on a public court page; published court opinions are indexed on GovInfo. Status was reviewed October 17, 2026.

Uber disputes the allegations. Pending-case counts do not establish settlement eligibility, and trial results in one case do not decide another.

Where can I track the Uber Sexual Assault lawsuit?

Use the mass tort settlement tracker to compare public settlement posture, the deadline tracker for filing-window and key-date notes , and the MDL statistics tracker for federal case counts and court assignments.

What injuries does the Uber Sexual Assault lawsuit involve?

• Sexual assault or rape
• Unwanted touching or battery
• Harassment, threats, or false imprisonment during a ride
• Physical injuries
• Post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and depression

What evidence is needed for Uber Sexual Assault claims?

• Uber trip receipt, ride ID, or account history
• In-app or email reports to Uber, and Uber's responses
• Police reports, if one was made
• Medical, sexual assault exam, or counseling records
• Texts, screenshots, and witness information
• Who booked the ride and from which account

How has the Uber Sexual Assault lawsuit progressed?

What is the Uber Sexual Assault settlement status?

No court-approved global settlement program or public payout schedule was identified in records reviewed October 17, 2026. Uber has settled some individual cases, including the third federal bellwether, on confidential terms. A jury verdict in one case does not set the value of another claim.

What are the Uber Sexual Assault lawsuit filing deadlines?

Deadlines vary by state and may depend on diagnosis date, discovery date, exposure history, wrongful death issues, and other facts. A lawyer can evaluate how the relevant deadline rules may apply.

State-by-state guide links