A Delaware court has dismissed a case involving Uber Technologies, Inc. and a plaintiff who alleged she was sexually assaulted during a ride in Colombia. The ruling, made on October 13, 2026, affects L. Doe, who sought legal action against Uber and its subsidiaries after a traumatic incident while traveling abroad. The court determined that Delaware is not the appropriate venue for this case, which centers on events that occurred outside the United States.
The case, L. Doe v. Uber Technologies, Inc., was filed under docket number N25C-11-057 MAH. Doe, a resident of New York, claimed that while using the Uber app in Cartagena, Colombia, she was assaulted by her driver. The court's decision to dismiss the case under the doctrine of forum non conveniens means that Doe must pursue her claims in a different jurisdiction, likely Colombia, where the alleged incident occurred.
This ruling is significant as it underscores the complexities of legal jurisdiction in cases involving international incidents and raises questions about the responsibilities of ride-sharing companies like Uber in ensuring passenger safety, especially when incidents occur outside their home country.
Background
L. Doe filed her complaint against Uber Technologies, Inc., Raiser LLC, and Raiser-CA LLC on November 7, 2025. The complaint arose from an incident on January 23, 2025, when Doe used the Uber app to book a ride from Café Havana to Hotel Estelar in Cartagena. She alleges that during the ride, the driver made inappropriate advances and ultimately assaulted her.
After the incident, Doe reported the assault to Uber, describing a severe traumatic reaction. In response, the driver filed a counter-report claiming Doe was intoxicated and had drugs, an assertion Doe claims was false and retaliatory. The case initially began in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York but was later withdrawn and refiled in Delaware.
The Ruling
The court ruled in favor of Uber's motion to dismiss, asserting that Delaware is not the proper forum for this case. Judge Monica A. Horton stated, "The court finds that the factors disfavor Delaware as the appropriate forum for this case." The court emphasized that the alleged assault occurred in Colombia and that relevant evidence and witnesses are primarily located there.
Uber argued that litigating in Delaware would impose significant hardships due to the lack of connection to the state and the necessity of Colombian witnesses and evidence. The court agreed, noting that the majority of evidence needed for Doe's claims, including witness testimonies and documentation, is based in Colombia.
Impact
This ruling has important implications for L. Doe and others who may seek legal recourse against companies like Uber for incidents occurring abroad. It highlights the challenges plaintiffs face when attempting to bring claims in jurisdictions that are not closely connected to the events in question. The court's decision emphasizes the need for plaintiffs to consider where the incident occurred and the location of relevant evidence when filing lawsuits.
Furthermore, this ruling may set a precedent for future cases involving international incidents and the application of the forum non conveniens doctrine, potentially influencing how similar cases are handled in the future.
What's Next
Following this ruling, L. Doe may choose to pursue her claims in Colombia, where the alleged assault occurred. The court's decision to dismiss the case in Delaware does not prevent her from seeking justice in another jurisdiction. Details were not available in the court filing regarding any potential appeals or related cases.