Appeals Court Rules Uber Had Duty to Ensure Safety of Driver Killed by Passengers

In December 2020, Cherno Ceesay, a driver for Uber, was fatally stabbed by two passengers, Devin Kekoa Wade and Olivia Breanna-Lennon Bebic, during a failed carjacking attempt. Following this tragic incident, Ceesay's estate filed a lawsuit against Uber in 2021, claiming the company failed to protect its drivers from known risks of violent assaults by passengers. The lawsuit highlighted that Uber had a responsibility to ensure the safety of its drivers by exercising reasonable care in matching them with riders. Initially, a district court ruled in 2022 that there was no special relationship between Uber and Ceesay that would impose a duty of care. However, a federal appeals court later overturned this decision, stating that the relationship between Uber and its drivers is similar to that of an employer and employee. The court emphasized that Uber maintained significant control over the matching process and did not provide Ceesay with adequate information about the riders he was paired with. The appeals court found that Ceesay's estate presented sufficient evidence to demonstrate that Uber had a duty to protect its drivers. The ruling pointed out that Uber's practices, such as penalizing drivers for declining rides and withholding information about passengers until after ride acceptance, contributed to the risks faced by drivers like Ceesay. This case raises important questions about the responsibilities of rideshare companies in ensuring the safety of their drivers. As a result of the appeals court ruling, Uber may now face increased scrutiny regarding its safety protocols and the measures it takes to protect drivers from potential harm. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the rideshare industry and its approach to driver safety moving forward.