BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) – Lyft drivers are alleging that they were misclassified as independent contractors and that Lyft unlawfully placed the cost of doing business to its drivers.
Saif Chaudry and Jane Doe filed a complaint on behalf of themselves and those similarly situated on Oct. 20 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York against Lyft Inc. and John Doe Lyft Affiliates alleging violation of New York labor laws and other counts.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs allege that the defendants misclassified them as independent contractors and the plaintiffs have been paying expenses associated with operating the vehicles, such as fuel, maintenance and repair.
The plaintiffs also allege that the defendants collected commissions based on percentage of the fare and state and city sales tax and black car fund surcharges instead of collecting commission based on the fare alone.
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek judgment against the defendants; notice to the classes of the action; certify case as a class action; designate class representative and counsel; award of compensatory, consequential, liquidated, punitive and treble damages; attorney's fees; interest; costs; and further relief as the court may deem just. They are represented by Philip M. Hines and Marc J. Held of Held & Hines LLP in Brooklyn, New York.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York case number 17-C-06135