A national trial lawyers' group vows to fight an Uber-supported amendment to a major U.S. highway bill. Rep. Vince Fong (R-CA) introduced the amendment.
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee advanced the measure during a recent late-night session. The provision is part of a five-year surface transportation reauthorization bill.
The amendment establishes a federal liability shield for app-based companies. This shield protects these companies from lawsuits over driver-caused harms. Protection remains in place unless courts find the company grossly negligent.
Opponents, including the Alliance Against Corporate Abuse, challenge the measure. They argue the amendment preempts stronger state laws. They also state it retroactively undermines thousands of pending sexual assault cases against Uber by changing the legal standard for liability.