DOJ seeks $53 million in disability discrimination suit against Lyft

By Amara Osei

The Justice Department is seeking $53 million in a federal lawsuit accusing Lyft of discriminating against passengers with disabilities who seek rides on its platform and need accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. DOJ filed the case Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

What does the lawsuit allege?

DOJ’s lawsuit says Lyft is aware of discriminatory practices against riders who need accommodations under the ADA but fails to prevent or remedy them. The alleged practices include denying rides to people who have service animals or use stowable wheelchairs. The complaint also accuses Lyft of refusing to let passengers with mobility issues sit in the front seat.

DOJ’s examples span the country and include people who hailed a Lyft but had one driver, and in some cases several, refuse to take them to their destination. The suit says these refusals occurred as recently as last month. Riders affected by the examples experienced delays in reaching medical appointments, cancellation fees and other problems, according to the complaint.

The department frames the case around access to essential transportation, not only the provision of a particular accommodation. “Individuals with disabilities should be able to rely on rideshare services free of discrimination,” said Jesus A. Osete, acting assistant attorney general, in a statement.

“We intend to uphold the ADA’s promise that people with disabilities are entitled to equal access in every part of public life, including essential transportation services.” That language connects rideshare access to the ADA’s promise of equal access in public life.

How does Lyft answer the allegations?

Lyft firmly rejected the accusations in a statement. “We’ve cooperated with the DOJ throughout its review and remain committed to serving every rider, including riders with disabilities,” the company said.

Lyft’s policies require drivers to accommodate riders who travel with service animals or mobility devices. The company said policy violators face serious consequences, including permanent deactivation. Its response combines a stated cooperation with the DOJ review, mandatory accommodation rules and driver sanctions.

DOJ’s examples concern drivers refusing individual trips, while Lyft’s answer points to written policies and penalties for drivers who break them. The contrast leaves the effectiveness of deactivation and in-app reminders at issue. The lawsuit alleges that Lyft knew about discriminatory practices but failed to prevent or remedy them.

How does the case compare with earlier litigation?

The suit is the latest federal action aimed at ride-hailing companies over the treatment of would-be riders with disabilities. DOJ filed a similar lawsuit against Uber last year, and that case remains ongoing.

Uber settled a separate suit in 2022. Lyft settled a different case in 2020. The new Lyft filing is separate from the company’s 2020 settlement and from Uber’s cases.

Lyft and Uber say their policies and in-app tools require drivers to provide ADA accommodations. The companies also say those tools remind drivers of the consequences of refusing to do so.

The practical stakes reach beyond policy language because the complaint links refusals to delayed medical appointments and cancellation fees. The $53 million DOJ is seeking is for individuals who have experienced discrimination and submitted complaints to either Lyft or the department. Those who contacted Lyft and those who went directly to DOJ are covered in the department’s request.

The case now asks whether Lyft’s driver requirements, in-app reminders and threat of permanent deactivation prevent the refusals described in the complaint. A ruling would put those enforcement measures against DOJ’s ADA claims, while Uber’s ongoing case remains the federal parallel.