Site icon ТопЖир

Employee Claims Tesla Robot Caused Him to Lose Consciousness, Now He’s Handing Tesla a $51 Million Bill

The Essence of the Case

An accident at the Tesla factory in Fremont has led to a $51 million lawsuit. An employee claims he sustained serious injuries and millions in medical bills after being struck by a robot from the production line. This case raises questions not only about workplace safety but also about the role of automation in high-pressure manufacturing environments.

Incident Circumstances

According to court documents, 50-year-old employee Peter Hinterdobler was injured on July 22, 2023, while assisting an engineer in disassembling a large robot from the Model 3 assembly line. After attempting

“to remove the motor at the base of the robot to gain access to its internal equipment”

, the robot’s arm struck Hinterdobler with a

“force similar to an 8,000-pound counterweight”

, the lawsuit states.

Consequences and Demands

The employee was thrown to the floor and lost consciousness. The lawsuit indicates he has already accumulated $1 million in medical expenses and expects an additional $6 million for future treatment. Furthermore, he is demanding $20 million for pain, suffering, and inconvenience, $10 million for emotional distress, $1 million for lost earnings, and $8 million for diminished earning capacity.

The document also alleges that the robot was placed in a

“zone not intended for such equipment”

and that Tesla

“implemented new securing and safety rules specifically related to this robot”

. Alongside Tesla, the robotics manufacturer FANUC is named in the lawsuit.

Controversy Surrounding Evidence

Hinterdobler’s attorneys claim that Tesla refused to provide video evidence of the incident. The company is also accused of

“failing to ensure that the robot was safely powered down, secured, and stable before allowing Hinterdobler to assist in the disassembly process”

. FANUC is separately accused of

“negligent” design of the robot and improper instruction of users regarding its safe operation

.

Further Context

The case is still in its early stages, but it highlights the risks of combining heavy robotics with human labor, especially when safety and oversight remain questionable. This case could set a precedent for similar cases in the future, forcing companies to reconsider their approaches to integrating automation. The growing use of robots in manufacturing demands strict standards to prevent tragedies, where technological progress should not come at the expense of employee well-being.

Exit mobile version