Tesla factory technician knocked unconscious by robot during repairs files $77 million lawsuit

A robotics technician has filed a lawsuit against Tesla seeking $51 million in damages after being injured at the company's Fremont, California, manufacturing plant.

Tesla factory technician sues for $51 million after assembly-line robot knocks him unconscious | The Independent

According to the lawsuit, robotics engineer Peter Hinterdobler was trying to remove the robot's motor when the robot arm suddenly released and struck Hinterdobler, causing serious injuries.

'The arm struck Mr. Hinterdobler with such force that he was thrown to the floor, losing consciousness and sustaining multiple injuries,' the lawsuit states.

This left the 50-year-old Hinterdobler struggling to pay high medical bills.

Hinterdobler has incurred medical bills totaling $1 million to date, and is expected to incur at least another $6 million in future expenses. In addition to the $7 million in compensation, he is seeking $20 million for physical pain and suffering, $10 million for emotional distress, $1 million for lost wages to date, $8 million for lost future wages, and $5 million for lost domestic services, for a total of $51 million.

Hinterdobler argues that 'the robots were placed in areas where they were not intended and that Tesla owed a duty of care in operating, maintaining, supervising and training the robots.'

The lawsuit also alleges that Hinterdobler repeatedly requested the disclosure of video footage of the incident, but was denied.

The robots used in Tesla's factories were manufactured by Fanuc. The lawsuit also alleges that Fanuc was negligent in its robot design, failed to provide users with adequate instructions on how to operate them safely, and is liable for the robots' dangerous and unexpected failures.

Fanuc has been sued in the past for claims related to its robots. In 2015, a technician at a Michigan auto parts factory became unexpectedly trapped in a Fanuc robot, crushing his skull and killing him.

Accidents have also occurred at Tesla factories in 2021. According to an investigation report, a robot struck an engineer at a factory in Austin, Texas, pushing him against a wall and leaving a 'bloody trail' at the scene. A colleague pressed the emergency stop button, freeing the engineer. The report noted that the Texas factory had a higher rate of employee injuries compared to the industry average.