DOJ Sues Uber for Disability Discrimination, Seeks $125M

The U.S. Department of Justice on Thursday sued Uber Technologies Inc., alleging the ridehailing giant and its drivers routinely discriminate against people with physical disabilities by refusing service, imposing unlawful surcharges and failing to make reasonable accommodations. The complaint, filed in federal court in San Francisco, says the conduct harms passengers who travel with service animals or use folding or stowable wheelchairs and has left some riders stranded, delayed or forced to miss appointments.

According to the Justice Department’s civil rights division, drivers for Uber have denied rides to people with service animals, charged cleaning fees when animals shed, imposed cancellation fees when riders were refused service and have at times insulted or demeaned passengers or asked inappropriate questions. The complaint also alleges the company has not ensured modifications such as allowing extra time for boarding or permitting riders to stow mobility devices, causing “significant economic, emotional and physical harm,” prosecutors wrote. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said blind riders have for too long suffered repeated denials because they travel with...