Lyft Discrimination Lawsuit: Rideshare Company Faces Legal Battle Over Weight-Based Refusal

Detroit rapper Dajua Blanding, known as Dank Demoss, is suing Lyft after a driver refused her a ride due to her weight. The driver claimed his tires couldn’t handle her size, but Blanding disputes this, saying she could have fit. The lawsuit alleges discrimination, highlighting a protected characteristic under Michigan law.

A Detroit rapper, Dajua Blanding, known professionally as Dank Demoss, has filed a lawsuit against Lyft for alleged discrimination. The incident occurred when Blanding requested a ride to a Detroit Lions watch party. Upon arrival, the Lyft driver denied her the ride, stating that his car’s tires couldn’t handle her weight.
Blanding recorded the encounter and has since retained attorneys Jonathan Marko and Zach Runyan to pursue the case. Marko emphasized that weight is a protected characteristic in Michigan, similar to race or religion. He argued that denying someone a ride based on weight is illegal and discriminatory.
The driver initially told Blanding she wouldn’t fit in his sedan and later apologized, suggesting she order an Uber XL instead. However, Blanding disputes this claim, stating she has been in smaller cars before. She expressed that the incident hurt her feelings and wants to highlight the issue.
Lyft has been served with the lawsuit but has not yet responded. This case highlights the importance of equal treatment in rideshare services and the legal protections against discrimination based on protected characteristics.

What happened during the incident?
A Lyft driver refused to give Dajua Blanding a ride because he claimed her weight would be too much for his car’s tires.
Why is Dajua Blanding suing Lyft?
She is suing for discrimination, alleging that the driver’s refusal was based on her weight, which is a protected characteristic under Michigan law.
What did the driver say to justify his refusal?
The driver said his tires couldn’t handle her weight and suggested she order an Uber XL instead.
Has Lyft responded to the lawsuit?
No, Lyft has not yet responded to the lawsuit.
What are the legal implications of this case?
The case highlights that denying someone a ride based on protected characteristics like weight is illegal and discriminatory under Michigan law.

The lawsuit filed by Dajua Blanding against Lyft underscores the importance of equal treatment in rideshare services. It emphasizes that refusing a ride based on protected characteristics like weight is not only hurtful but also illegal. This case could set a precedent for future discrimination cases in the rideshare industry.