Judge Approves $3 Million Settlement in Uber Class Action Lawsuit

On January 29, Judge Douglas Woodlock, US District Court for the District of Massachusetts, approved a $3 million settlement between Uber Technologies Inc. and a class of riders claiming that they were overcharged. Judge Woodlock also approved the attorneys’ fees associated with the lawsuit.

In December 2014, four Uber riders alleged the company charged improper tolls on riders to Logan International Airport and other destinations since October 2011. Uber started charging riders to and from Boston’s airport an $8.75 “Logan Massport surcharge” when the airport had no such fee.

Counsel for Uber argued the case should go before arbitration since the customers agreed to arbitrate their disputes when they signed up for Uber’s service, and won a motion to compel in 2016. Nearly two years later, the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit reversed the decision, saying that Uber did not do enough to properly inform riders about the arbitration provision.

Bailey Glasser Partner John Roddy stated, "We are very pleased that the First Circuit resuscitated this case and that ultimately we were able to deliver significant compensation to Massachusetts Uber riders."

Additional team members included Elizabeth Ryan, Partner at Bailey Glasser, and co-counsel Pedro Jaile of the Law Office of Pedro A. Jaile.

The full article can be read at Law360 (subscription required).