FYI: Tesla is under legal scrutiny after a tragic incident at Gigafactory Texas left an electrician dead due to an alleged electrocution.
Tesla Facing Lawsuit Over Alleged Electrocution at Gigafactory Texas
Tesla is under legal pressure following the tragic death of Victor Gomez Sr., an electrician who suffered a fatal cardiac event last week at Gigafactory Texas. Gomez’s family has accused Tesla of negligence, stating that he was electrocuted while working on an energized electrical panel, according to KVUE.
OSHA Investigation Underway
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has launched an investigation into the fatal incident. Immediately after the mishap, emergency services were called to Gigafactory Texas, where Gomez experienced cardiac arrest. He was transported to Dell Seton Medical Center but unfortunately did not survive.
Legal Allegations
In the lawsuit, Gomez’s family claims the tragedy occurred because he was directed to inspect electrical panels before they were supposed to be energized. One panel, allegedly powered on prematurely, electrocuted Gomez, leaving him unconscious.
Expert Involvement and Evidence Preservation
Gomez’s legal team states that they have appointed experts to investigate the facility in Austin, Texas, aiming to preserve unaltered evidence. They have urged Tesla to retain the internal and external surveillance footage, alongside the electrical panel in question. Tesla has yet to respond to these requests, according to the family’s representation.
Tesla’s Litigation Stance
Personal injury attorney Adam Muery, who has previously taken on Tesla regarding its Autopilot feature, remarked on the company’s aggressive litigation strategies. "What you have to be able to provide is that the company knew of, or really should have known of, an extreme risk,” Muery said. “And yet ignored that risk through their processes and procedures."
Focus on Management in OSHA Probe
Rick Gleason, a former OSHA inspector, noted that the investigation is centered on the management’s role in the incident. "They will interview coworkers, they’ll interview supervisors, they’ll interview managers and sometimes they record the interviews,” Gleason explained. “It’s not about workers, it’s about who in management had the authority, the power, to control to have ensured that it was adequately de-energized prior to working on it.”
Awaiting Responses
At present, both Tesla and Travis County have declined to issue any comments regarding the incident. OSHA has stated that no further information will be released until the investigation concludes.
These developments mark a significant moment for Tesla, as the legal and regulatory scrutiny intensifies. For ongoing updates, reach out to us at tips@automotive.fyi or follow us on Twitter @automotivefyi.
William Kouch, Editor of Automotive.fyi
