Tesla Factory Technician Sues for $51M After Injury Incurred During Robot Disassembly
OAKLAND, CA—According to an article published in The Independent, Peter Hinterdobler, a 50-year-old robotics technician at Tesla’s Fremont, California, factory, is suing Tesla and robot manufacturer FANUC for $51 million following a workplace accident that occurred in the Summer of 2023. The lawsuit claims that on July 22, 2023, while assisting an engineer in disassembling a robot relocated from the Model 3 assembly line, a robot arm suddenly released, propelled by both its mechanical power and the force of a roughly 8,000-pound counterbalance weight. The impact allegedly threw Hinterdobler to the floor, knocked him unconscious, and caused significant injuries.
To date, Hinterdobler says he has incurred approximately $1 million in medical expenses, with an additional estimated $6 million still needed. He is seeking damages, including $20 million for pain and suffering, $10 million for emotional distress, $1 million for lost earnings to date, $8 million for loss of future earning capacity, and $5 million for past and future inability to provide household services.
The complaint alleges that the robot was placed in an area not intended for such operations and that Tesla failed to ensure the robot was safely de-energized and stable before allowing any disassembly work.
Allegations also include Tesla’s refusal to grant access to video footage of the event, as well as FANUC's negligence in designing the robot and failure to issue adequate warnings or instructions. The case was initially filed in state court and was moved to Oakland federal court in mid-August.
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