Lyft lawsuit: DOJ seeks $53M over riders with disabilities

What the Lyft lawsuit describes

The complaint names 14 riders. Some say drivers refused their dogs and left. Others were told to book Lyft Pet, which adds a $4 fee, because drivers mixed up pets with service animals.

Judge David Tatel, who is blind, says a driver screamed at him and his wife to get out in 2023 because of his guide dog. In September 2026, another driver locked the doors and drove off. Lyft offered him a $10 credit, which he found insulting. Sharon Zenger, a deaf-blind teacher, had to send Lyft a video to get a no-show fee refunded. Lisa Harris has neuropathy in her feet and needs the front seat to avoid falling, but a driver refused to let her sit there.

The department also alleges Lyft added an opt-in feature that warns drivers about a service animal only after it learned of the investigation, and that denials went on anyway. It says Lyft does not properly train drivers and support staff, monitor drivers or handle complaints, and that credits of $5 and $10 were common.

How Lyft responded

Lyft rejects the allegations and says it cooperated throughout. It says it has long-standing policies requiring drivers to accommodate service animals and foldable mobility devices, and that violators face consequences including permanent deactivation.

What happens next

The department wants a court order making Lyft stop, change its policies and train drivers on the ADA. It also wants damages for riders, a civil penalty and a jury trial.

It is a familiar fight. The department sued Uber over the same issue in September 2025, seeking $125M, and that case is ongoing. Lyft paid four riders and a $40,000 penalty in 2020 over refusals involving foldable wheelchairs around Los Angeles, while denying the ADA applied to it. The new suit arrives as Lyft launches a membership with DoorDash and adds Waymo robotaxis to its app.