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Justice Department sues Lyft over alleged ADA ride denials
The Justice Department said Monday it sued Lyft in Northern California, seeking $53 million over alleged ADA violations involving service animals and stowable wheelchairs; The New York Times said Lyft disputed the claims.
- New York Times and U.S. Department of Justice are now reporting this
- New headline Was: “Justice Department sues Lyft over alleged ADA ride refusals”
- Our desk updated its story
- New headline Was: “DOJ lawsuit says Lyft routinely refuses service to passengers with disabilities”
- Our desk filed its story
The Justice Department said Monday it had sued Lyft Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, alleging the company discriminated against riders with disabilities, including people who use service animals and stowable wheelchairs2.
The department's complaint, described in a Civil Rights Division release, says Lyft and its drivers routinely refuse service, charge cancellation fees after denials, and refuse reasonable policy changes, including denying some riders with mobility disabilities the option to sit in the front seat2. The New York Times also reported the suit and said the department alleged Lyft and drivers refuse service to people with disabilities, including those with stowable wheelchairs or service animals1.
The department said the case alleges violations of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which it said bars private transportation companies from discriminating based on disability2. It said the ADA requires Lyft to transport riders with disabilities and their service animals and to assist with stowable wheelchairs and mobility devices2. The release defines a service animal as a dog trained to perform a task related to a disability and says emotional support dogs are not service animals under the ADA2.
The lawsuit seeks $53 million for people with disabilities who, the department said, were discriminated against and who submitted complaints to Lyft or the department2. It also seeks a court order requiring Lyft to stop the alleged discrimination, change policies, train staff and drivers, and pay a civil penalty2.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Jesus A. Osete of the Civil Rights Division said, "Individuals with disabilities should be able to rely on rideshare services free of discrimination"2. U.S. Attorney Craig H. Missakian for the Northern District of California compared the filing to a similar case against Uber2.
The Times reported that Lyft disputed the allegations1. The department's release did not include a company response2. A court has not ruled on the claims.
Sources
How it’s being reported
3 versions from 2 sources
DOJ lawsuit says Lyft routinely refuses service to passengers with disabilities
The new suit after a 2020 ADA settlement and a similar DOJ case against Uber.
Engadget says the Justice Department sued Lyft over alleged refusals of riders with stowable wheelchairs and service animals, seeking $53 million; Lyft denied the allegations.
Justice Dept. Accuses Lyft of Disability Discrimination in Lawsuit
Gives this outlet’s account of the story.
Justice Department Sues Lyft for Denying Rides to Passengers with Service Dogs, Wheelchairs
Alleged refusals, cancellation fees, and failure to modify policies, plus requested damages, training, and a civil penalty.
DOJ press release announcing a Title III ADA suit against Lyft Inc. in the Northern District of California seeking $53 million and injunctive relief.
Leaves out Any statement from Lyft.