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FrodosNewPet

(495 posts)
Thu Mar 22, 2018, 01:43 AM Mar 2018

Uber drivers denied service to woman with cerebral palsy, new lawsuit claims

Uber drivers denied service to woman with cerebral palsy, new lawsuit claims

Rides repeatedly canceled because of her service dog

https://www.theverge.com/2018/3/20/17144502/uber-lawsuit-service-dog-discrimination-disability

By Sean O'Kane@sokane1 Mar 20, 2018, 5:59pm EDT


Uber is being accused of its drivers denying rides to a Texas woman with cerebral palsy on “approximately 25 separate occasions” across 2016 and 2017, according to a new lawsuit filed today. The woman claims that drivers repeatedly canceled rides because she requires the use of a service dog. The complaint, filed in Northern California District Court, accuses Uber of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Texas Human Resources Code, and the plaintiff is seeking damages for “intentional infliction of emotional distress.”

The plaintiff, D’Edra Steele, details a number of instances in which she was allegedly denied service by Uber drivers in the lawsuit. Many of the claims revolve around Uber drivers refusing her service and canceling rides only after finding out that she uses a service dog. Steele, the lawsuit states, relies on a service dog named Goodee in order to walk and maintain her balance.

Uber drivers used excuses such as allergies, lack of protective seat covering, or simply not wanting to clean up dog hair as reasons for canceling rides, Steele alleges in the complaint. In certain occasions these cancelations left Steele stranded without a ride to or from grocery stores, and in one situation, made her late to her own family’s Thanksgiving celebration.

~ snip ~

On a number of occasions, according to the lawsuit, Steele reported these cancellations to Uber’s official customer support and critical response help lines. While she was told a few times that the company was investigating her claims, more often than not she says she was met with the same response: a $5 credit, and a guarantee that she wouldn’t be paired with the same driver again. Steele says she also filed complaints about specific incidents with the Department of Justice.

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Uber drivers denied service to woman with cerebral palsy, new lawsuit claims (Original Post) FrodosNewPet Mar 2018 OP
My partner has been through this with her guide dog Jake Stern Mar 2018 #1

Jake Stern

(3,145 posts)
1. My partner has been through this with her guide dog
Thu Mar 22, 2018, 01:54 AM
Mar 2018

Drivers used all of the above excuses as well as one that told my partner that because he's Muslim transporting a dog was forbidden.

Folks need to start suing the caca out of the drivers as well as the company.

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