New Jersey among several states alleged where Uber drivers refused service to disabled passengers.
The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a sweeping lawsuit against Uber Technologies Inc., accusing the nation’s largest ride-hailing company of discriminating against passengers with disabilities, including blind riders with service dogs and those who use stowable wheelchairs across the country.
The suit, filed Thursday in federal court in the Northern District of California, seeks $125 million in damages for individuals who submitted complaints to Uber or the Justice Department after being denied rides. Prosecutors allege the company repeatedly violated Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits private transportation providers from discriminating against disabled passengers.
According to the complaint, Uber drivers routinely refused service to riders with guide dogs, imposed cleaning fees for animal shedding, and charged unlawful cancellation fees when trips were denied. The lawsuit also claims Uber denied passengers with mobility disabilities the option of sitting in the front seat when necessary and failed to update company policies to prevent discrimination.
Officials said these practices caused riders to miss appointments, face extended travel delays, and in some cases, be left stranded in harsh weather conditions.
“For too long, blind riders have suffered repeated ride denials by Uber because they are traveling with a service dog,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This lawsuit seeks to end this persistent discrimination and allow riders with disabilities to use Uber.”
The Justice Department is asking the court to order Uber to reform its policies, train its workforce on ADA compliance, and pay civil penalties in addition to damages.
Uber, which dominates the U.S. ride-hailing market, has not yet issued a public response to the lawsuit.
Key Points
- The Justice Department sued Uber in California federal court over alleged violations of the ADA.
- Prosecutors claim Uber drivers denied rides to passengers with service dogs and stowable wheelchairs.
- The lawsuit seeks $125 million in damages, plus policy changes and training requirements.
The landmark case could reshape how ride-hailing companies serve riders with disabilities.