Uber has been ordered to pay $40 million to the parents of a 23-year-old woman who died after an Uber driver ejected her and a friend from his car on a California freeway. An arbitrator ruled Uber was 'vicariously liable' for the driver's negligence, rejecting the company's argument that it is merely a technology platform.
Arbitration documents reveal Uber must pay $40 million to the parents of Emily Normandin-Parker, a 23-year-old woman who was killed after an Uber driver left her and a friend stranded on a California freeway. In August 2023, after Normandin-Parker vomited in the car following a night out, the driver pulled over on the 73 freeway. During an argument over a cleaning fee, Normandin-Parker exited the vehicle, wandered into oncoming traffic, and was fatally struck. Retired California judge Richard A Stone, acting as arbitrator, found Uber 'vicariously liable' for the driver’s negligence. Uber had contended it was merely a 'technology company' connecting riders with independent contractors, citing California's Prop 22. However, Stone rejected this, asserting Uber should be treated as a 'common carrier' and that Prop 22 does not shield it from vicarious liability for its drivers' actions. Uber expressed disagreement with the ruling, stating the arbitrator 'was wrong' and emphasizing its commitment to safety improvements. The family also disclosed that Uber had previously offered a settlement including a confidentiality clause with a $10 million penalty for speaking about the incident, which they rejected. While this specific ruling is not binding for other cases, it marks a significant development in the ongoing legal battle over Uber's liability for its drivers, challenging its classification as solely an online marketplace.
