Woman in labor left standing on New York sidewalk after Uber driver refuses to take her to the hospital

A woman in labor was left standing on the sidewalk by an Uber driver who refused to take her to the hospital.

Husband David Lee claims the driver declined to take them 3 miles to their Manhattan hospital because his wife retched just before getting in the cab.

The unnamed driver allegedly told them he would lose $1,000 a day if she vomited in his car, reported Fortune.

And despite the New York couple’s pleas for help, the driver then drove off after charging them $13 for his lost time.

Fortunately, the couple were able to take another Uber car to hospital, where they welcomed their healthy baby boy just a few hours later in November.

Lee says that Uber eventually refunded his $13, but was left frustrated that the company would not acknowledge any wrongdoing by the driver.

“I don’t blame Uber for one driver’s poor actions, since bad apples can appear in any organization, but I do think that when a company has a culture of bullying their way past laws and regulations, as Uber seems to do, they begin to think they can act with impunity in anything,” said Lee.

Lee, a lawyer, say the driver also told them that no other driver would take them – which they say is against the law.

 

Legal experts agreed that city and state laws in New York forbid drivers from refusing women in labor.

“Uber should have clarified their policies on drivers and women in labor, and confirmed that the driver received appropriate disciplinary action,” said Lee.

“I’m fortunate enough to know my rights and have access to resources, but I feel for the person who is not as lucky.”

An Uber spokesperson said the company does not discuss individual driver incidents, and cited a privacy policy.

However, responding to further questions from Fortune, the company apologized for what had happened.

“Denying service to a passenger in labor is unacceptable: it goes against our code of conduct and the standard of service our riders rely on,” they said in a statement.

“We are glad that the rider’s next driver was professional and courteous.”