Uber Defeats Some Claims Ahead of Mass Assault Bellwether Trial

Uber Technologies Inc. will face a narrowed set of the claims in the multidistrict litigation brought by passengers who allege the ride-sharing platform failed to properly vet drivers who sexually assaulted them after a federal judge eliminated some allegations brought by bellwether plaintiffs ahead of trial.

The sprawling Tuesday ruling by San Francisco federal Judge Charles R. Breyer removed one of the 20 cases entirely, and included partial dismissals of other parts of the passengers’ cases.

The judge was unconvinced that Uber engaged in fraud when it rolled out its designated driver marketing campaign, encouraging intoxicated people to ...