Uber Loses First Two Federal Bellwethers in Passenger Sexual-Assault MDL
Federal juries have now ruled against Uber in the first two test trials of the passenger sexual-assault MDL, and the court has held that Uber can be treated as a common carrier — a ruling with significance well beyond these two cases.
Key Takeaways
- First federal bellwether (Phoenix): an $8.5 million plaintiff verdict in February 2026; the jury found Uber liable on an apparent-agency theory but rejected the negligence claim
- Second federal bellwether (North Carolina facts): a plaintiff verdict in April 2026, with the jury awarding $5,000
- On April 10, 2026 the court reportedly ruled Uber qualifies as a common carrier under North Carolina law — a heightened, non-delegable duty to passengers
- Uber has signaled it will appeal the North Carolina verdict
- The next two federal bellwethers are set to begin September 14, 2026 before Judge Breyer
Two plaintiff verdicts, very different numbers
The first trial, arising from a Tempe, Arizona assault, ended around February 5, 2026 with an $8.5 million verdict; the jury found Uber liable on an apparent-agency theory while rejecting the negligence claim. The second, on North Carolina facts, ended April 20, 2026 with the jury again finding Uber liable but awarding just $5,000. The split — liability wins, sharply different damages — suggests jurors may hold Uber responsible while calibrating awards tightly to the severity of each assault.
The common-carrier ruling
Ahead of the second trial, on April 10, 2026, Judge Charles Breyer reportedly ruled that Uber qualifies as a common carrier under North Carolina law, imposing a heightened, non-delegable duty to passengers and rejecting Uber's argument that it is merely a technology platform. Uber has signaled it will appeal the North Carolina verdict. The next two federal bellwethers are scheduled to begin September 14, 2026.
Full Uber MDL background & eligibility
For the complete overview — arbitration issues, Uber's safety reports, and how cases proceed — visit our case hub.
Sources
- • Law.com Litigation Daily, "An $8.5 Million Verdict in First Trial in Uber Passenger Sexual Assault MDL" (Feb 13, 2026).
- • Reuters, "Uber faces second driver sexual assault trial following $8.5 million verdict" (Apr 13, 2026).
- • Law360, "Uber Signals Appeal Of NC Bellwether Loss In Assault MDL" (2026); N.D. Cal. MDL-3084 docket.
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