Uber faces $40m payment after arbitration over passenger's death

A judge has ordered Uber to pay $40 million to the parents of Emily Normandin-Parker, a UCLA graduate, following a five-day arbitration process, according to the family and its lawyers.

Judge Richard Stone issued the award, with Normandin-Parker's family represented by law firm Panish, Shea, Ravipudi.

The family said Normandin-Parker followed Uber's safety recommendations by choosing not to drive and relying on the ride-hailing company to get her home safely, says the BBC.

"Emily did everything Uber tells riders to do – she made the responsible choice not to drive and we trusted Uber to get her home safely... That trust cost our daughter her life."

Before the arbitration ruling, Uber had offered the family a $10 million settlement that included a non-disclosure condition preventing the parents from speaking about the incident. The family declined the offer.

During the proceedings, Uber argued that it should not be held liable for the driver's actions because the driver was an independent contractor.

Uber said it believed the arbitrator had erred in finding the company legally responsible for the incident.

The company also pointed to changes it has made to its safety practices.

"We have continued to strengthen our approach to safety over the years, through new technology, policies and safeguards informed by safety experts, including additional guidance to drivers about avoiding drop-offs in unsafe locations," Uber said.