Court sides with Uber drivers to expand case over pay

federal judge has granted class-action status to a case in California against Uber over payment of drivers. SAN FRANCISCO -- A federal judge has granted class-action status to a case in California against Uber over payment of drivers.

The ruling on Tuesday increases the number of potential California plaintiffs in the lawsuit claiming Uber drivers are incorrectly classified as independent contractors when they are actually employees.

U.S. District Court Judge Edward Chen in San Francisco made his decision in the lawsuit filed by four current or former drivers for the ride-hailing company.

It raises the stakes for Uber, which could be on the hook for significantly more damages if it loses the case.

The lawsuit sought class certification on behalf of 160,000 drivers who have worked for the company in California since 2009.

The drivers say they are Uber employees and have been shortchanged on expenses and tips.

A call to Uber was not immediately returned.