Uber refused my service animal

[Brookemarie331]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California

Yesterday I arrived home from Boston Logan airport to LAX with my emotional support animal. He traveled on my lap the entire flight with all of his documented papers. Then as I have done many times before with him, I ordered an uber from LAX to Malibu. Once my driver arrived I walked off the sidewalk with my suitcase in my left hand and my dogs leash in my right hand. The man rolled down the window and I said Hi you must be my driver! He then said "I don't take animals." I quickly responded with "oh, he's a service animal!" To which the man responded, again, "I don't take animals in my car." The man rolled his window up instantly and sped off, leaving my dog and I in the road at LAX as I had stepped off the sidewalk to get in the vehicle. This is absolutely against the law and I was to know if I have any right to a lawsuit against uber or the driver.

 

[I'mTheFather]

Emotional support animals do not have the same protections as a trained service animal.

 

[not2cleverRed]

This is absolutely against the law and I was to know if I have any right to a lawsuit against uber or the driver.

You have no grounds for a lawsuit. However, you may give the individual driver a negative review. Additionally, if you were charged a cancellation fee you can contest it.

 

[FlyingRon]

You have no basis for a lawsuit, but you can certainly complain to uber (keep working your way up the chain). The driver was in VIOLATION of their own rules if he denied you. Uber specifically tells their drivers that if the person says it's a service animal, to admit it. Uber may do something for you in the way of good will.

As pointed out, you get no special consideration for ESAs under the ADA.