Can Uber be held responsible even if drivers are labeled contractors?

[Jonikasre]

I’ve read that Uber classifies its drivers as independent contractors, not employees. Does that mean Uber is off the hook if something like sexual misconduct happens?

[KookSpook]

It seems unfair—just because of a label, the company avoids accountability. Are there cases where Uber still gets blamed even with that classification?

[Nekistar]

Uber often argues it isn’t liable because drivers are independent contractors, but the issue isn’t that simple. I found a detailed article on https://federal-lawyer.com/injury-la...-vs-contractor which explains how courts are pushing back against Uber’s contractor claims. The piece highlights how Uber controls many aspects of drivers’ work—setting fares, enforcing policies, the ability to deactivate drivers—and how those factors blur the line between contractor and employee. It also shows that victims can still hold Uber accountable through claims like negligent screening, supervision, or failure to warn.