Biotechnology CEO Files Lawsuit Against Uber Following Violent Encounter
The chief executive of a biotechnology firm has initiated legal action against Uber, alleging he was assaulted by one of the company’s drivers, resulting in a brain injury.
Bryan Kobel, CEO of TC BioPharm, asserts that the incident occurred in April during a disagreement with a driver in South Carolina. He reported that what began as a “harmless” exchange escalated rapidly, with the driver purportedly rendering him unconscious.
“I was taken aback. Uber’s valuation stands at $200 billion. When you enter a vehicle with an Uber logo, it carries an expectation of safety and trust,” Kobel stated during an appearance on "America’s Newsroom."
Kobel expressed disbelief at Uber’s subsequent actions.
“Remarkably, the driver picked up another passenger merely two minutes after leaving me unconscious,” he remarked, adding that he provided the company with medical documents, a police report, and visual evidence of his injuries.
“Uber deactivated my account roughly 48 to 72 hours later,” he noted.
Kobel claims that Uber has inadequately screened its drivers and has refused to acknowledge responsibility for the assault he suffered.
"You’d reasonably expect, as I did until that moment, that they conduct thorough background checks. It was my belief that a rigorous vetting process exists, but that clearly isn’t the case," he said.
The driver involved has been named as Vadim Uliumdzhiev, 42, a Russian citizen who allegedly entered the United States unlawfully, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Following the incident, Uliumdzhiev was apprehended and charged with second-degree assault and battery, subsequently released on a $10,000 bond. He is now in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“I was astonished,” Kobel remarked. “It makes me question how often this individual has acted this way. How many more similar incidents will occur?”
“It seems that this is Uber’s standard operating procedure: to place riders in potentially dangerous situations, and if an incident occurs, to shift blame and refuse accountability,” Kobel added.
The altercation reportedly began when Kobel informed the driver he would be traveling with a service animal, which the driver repeatedly opposed. Kobel asserted he requested the driver to cancel the ride, leading to a confrontation outside the vehicle.
“I raised my hand and said, ‘please get in your car,’ and before I knew it, I was on my back in the hospital,” he recounted.
Kobel’s legal filing claims he suffered a serious concussion and head wounds that required numerous staples to repair.
An Uber representative commented, “Violence is unacceptable on the Uber platform. While we cannot discuss ongoing litigation, Uber is committed to safety and adheres to all relevant federal, state, and local regulations concerning worker eligibility.”
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