In California, Uber must pay $40 million over passenger’s death — The Guardian
In California, an arbitrator ordered Uber to pay $40 million to the parents of 23-year-old Emily Normandin-Parker, who died after a driver dropped her and a friend off near a freeway. Retired judge Richard A. Stone, who served as the arbitrator, found the company liable for the driver’s negligence.
As The Guardian reports, the incident occurred in August 2023 in Orange County. Emily Normandin-Parker and Luna Moore called an Uber after a night out. According to attorneys, the driver stopped on State Route 73 after Normandin-Parker vomited in the vehicle.
Details of the incident
While Moore and the driver argued over a cleaning fee, Normandin-Parker got out of the car, entered oncoming traffic and was struck by a vehicle. Her parents accused the driver and Uber of negligence.
Uber said it is a technology company that uses software to connect passengers with independent drivers. Under Proposition 22, Uber and Lyft drivers in California are classified as independent contractors rather than company employees. Uber cited this provision, arguing that it is not responsible for drivers’ actions.
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Arbitrator’s decision
Stone rejected this argument and said Uber should be regarded as a carrier providing transportation services. In his conclusion, using a digital interface to order a ride does not change the nature of the service. The arbitrator held Uber responsible for the driver’s negligence in this case.
The company said it respects the arbitration process, but considers the conclusion that Uber bears legal responsibility for the events of that night to be mistaken. Uber spokeswoman Gabriela Condarco-Quesada said the company had strengthened its safety approaches, including by providing drivers with additional guidance on avoiding dropping passengers off in dangerous locations.
The family also said that Uber had offered to settle the dispute on the condition of confidentiality. According to the family, the agreement stipulated a $10 million penalty each time the family spoke publicly about the crash and Uber’s connection to it. The family rejected the offer, while Uber said it ultimately did not insist on confidentiality. The arbitration decision is not a binding precedent and applies only to this case.
