A former safety supervisor at Tesla's Gigafactory in Austin, Texas, has filed a lawsuit against the company, alleging severe injuries from unsecured Cybertruck parts that fell on him in February 2024. The plaintiff claims the incident resulted from inadequate safety measures prioritizing production over worker protection. He seeks more than $1 million in damages following his termination a month later.
Craig Thompson, a former safety supervisor at Tesla's Gigafactory in Austin, Texas, is suing the electric vehicle maker after an incident in February 2024 left him with significant injuries. According to court filings, Thompson was walking through the facility when approximately 150 pounds of unsecured Cybertruck components slid off a moving transport cart and struck him. The boxes were reportedly not strapped down and appeared visibly unstable. Thompson attempted to alert the cart operator to reduce speed, but the driver did not notice, and the load shifted before any corrective action.
The lawsuit details injuries including a traumatic brain injury, as well as damage to his shoulder, spine, and knees, leading to ongoing physical impairments and cognitive limitations. Thompson alleges that the Gigafactory's pedestrian walkways were obstructed or insufficiently marked, filled with materials and machines that created dangerous conditions for workers on foot. The complaint further claims that Tesla required employees to yield to transport carts at all times, a policy that prioritized vehicle traffic and production throughput over worker safety. It also asserts violations of federal workplace safety standards.
Approximately one month after the incident, Thompson's employment was terminated, which the suit attributes to his injuries and diminished work capacity. Tesla has not yet commented on the lawsuit, according to reports. This case highlights ongoing safety concerns at the facility amid broader scrutiny of Tesla's operations.