Ninth Circuit Rules Uber Owes Duty of Care to Drivers

A divided panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Uber owes a 'duty of care' to its drivers under Washington law, particularly in the case of Cherno Ceesay, who was murdered by two passengers in a botched carjacking in December 2020. The court found that Uber maintained significant control over the rider-driver matching process, which established a 'special relationship' akin to that of employer and employee. This decision overturns a previous ruling that had dismissed the family's wrongful death lawsuit against Uber, which claimed the company failed to implement safety measures despite knowing drivers faced risks from violent passengers. The dissenting judge expressed concerns that this ruling could lead to broader implications for the gig economy. The case now returns to the lower courts for further proceedings, with Ceesay's family expressing hope for justice. Uber has not yet commented on the ruling.