Food Delivery Assault Lawsuits

Why Food Delivery Assault Happens

App-based food delivery services have changed the game of food and grocery delivery. However, in doing so, they’ve created a potentially dangerous environment for delivery drivers, customers and restaurant workers.

Risks Of Gig Workers

Companies such as DoorDash, Instacart, Grubhub and Uber Eats are all part of the gig worker economy. The drivers who work for these companies are independent contractors rather than employees. Thus, they aren’t offered basic employment benefits such as minimum wage, overtime pay, workers’ compensation or health insurance.

Being assaulted while on the job and lacking health benefits can leave many drivers to shoulder large medical bills. If the injury is serious enough, workers can face large medical bills and a loss of income during their recovery time. 

The design of the gig economy also makes contract drivers easy to replace. Therefore, companies offering gig services may choose to replace a driver rather than address their complaints or concerns over poor working conditions. 

The pandemic has only worsened the working conditions for some app-based delivery drivers. Many workers have faced a greater risk of exposure to the coronavirus and an increased risk of assault in some cities.

Risk Of Restaurant Workers

The model of the gig economy places a heavy burden on workers. But, in the food delivery industry, it has placed restaurant workers in danger as well. 

Most app-based food delivery drivers are paid per delivery rather than hourly. This means the faster they can deliver food, the more money they can make. In some cases, this business model has put a strain on the relationships between restaurants and delivery drivers. 

Impatient, aggressive drivers have assaulted restaurant workers during instances when food has not been prepared on time.

DoorDash Sexual Assault Lawsuits

DoorDash customers and drivers have been victims of sexual assaults and harassment. The company has been criticized for its handling of these situations.

DoorDash and other food delivery companies should be held accountable for creating an environment that puts drivers and customers at risk of sexual violence. Survivors of food delivery-related assaults may be able to sue these companies for their negligence.

The rideshare industry has seen many similar legal cases. Survivors assaulted while using Uber or Lyft have filed lawsuits against these companies. Many of these rideshare assault lawsuits have ended in compensation for the victims and financial punishment for the responsible companies. Victims of food delivery assaults may be able to win similar compensation.

A food delivery company may be held liable for assaults committed by drivers if they failed to conduct a thorough background check. They may also be liable for attacks by customers for failing to take reasonable steps to protect its drivers. In either case, a survivor may be able to sue for negligence.

If you are a survivor of sexual assault by a food delivery driver or customer, an assault attorney can help determine if you have grounds for a negligence claim. Our professional lawyers will evaluate your case and provide next steps to pursue a lawsuit against DoorDash.

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DoorDash Physical Assault Lawsuits

Many DoorDash users have been physically harmed while using the app. But, DoorDash has done little to address the issue and prevent future assaults. Due to the company’s failure to act, many survivors have taken legal action to hold the company accountable.

Although the news generally covers attacks on food delivery customers, delivery drivers are also at risk of physical assaults.

• In May 2018, a DoorDash driver in Georgia was attacked from behind by a customer. The customer attempted to strangle the female driver with her own hair and niqab. 
• In October 2019, a DoorDash driver in Minnesota was physically attacked by a customer during a delivery. The customer shouted, “Go back to your country,” at the driver.
• In May 2020, a DoorDash driver in Arizona was held at gunpoint while making a delivery. 
• In March 2021, a 19-year-old DoorDash driver in Ohio was badly beaten during a delivery. After delivering the food, the driver’s car was blocked in by multiple cars.

If you were physically attacked in a DoorDash-related assault, legal action may be right for you. Survivors can hold food delivery companies accountable for their negligence in these incidents. Talk to one of our food delivery assault attorneys today for a free case evaluation.

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Grubhub & Uber Eats Also Facing Assault Claims

Grubhub and Uber Eats are also facing allegations of not doing enough to protect contractors and users from sexual and physical assault. In at least one case, an attack proved fatal for a food delivery driver. 

Uber Eats Driver Killed In Carjacking Attempt

In March 2021, Mohammad Anwar, an Uber Eats driver, was attacked and killed during an attempted car theft in Washington, D.C. Two teenage girls attacked Anwar with a taser and attempted to steal his car. In the process, the assailants crashed and flipped the car. Anwar was killed. 

Apart from Uber Eats-related assaults, Uber may also be liable for physical and sexual assault lawsuits related to its rideshare services. 

Restaurant Worker Attacked By Fake Grubhub Driver

In May 2020, a fake Grubhub driver ran over Bijan Choya Early, a Chicago restaurant worker, with his car. The driver did not have a driver’s license and was using someone else’s Grubhub account. 

Early is now suing Grubhub for its negligence in allowing the driver to access someone else’s account and drive without a valid license.