Uber gets green light to pursue racketeering case against Philadelphia lawyer
UBER•A federal judge ruled Uber can pursue civil racketeering claims against Philadelphia lawyer Marc Simon and his firm, despite Uber’s insurer paying its defense bills in the allegedly fraudulent injury lawsuits. The case is scheduled for trial in March.
1. Judge allows claims to proceed
U.S. District Judge Mark Kearney ruled that Uber has standing to pursue its case against Simon and Simon & Simon. Uber alleges the firm worked with doctors and other providers to file fraudulent personal injury claims against Uber and FedEx; Simon and his firm deny wrongdoing.
2. Trial scheduled for March
Kearney wrote that buying liability insurance and allowing Farmers to make payments on Uber’s behalf did not mean Uber gave up its right to sue over allegedly fraudulent claims. Uber said it remains confident in its case. The companies allege Simon directed clients to providers who inflated claims with unnecessary treatments or false diagnoses and fraudulent documents. Simon has argued the companies are abusing racketeering laws to put him out of business; Kearney dismissed his counterclaims in August.
