Tesla has found itself in non-stop legal trouble lately, with safety concerns stacking up both inside its vehicles and across its operations. While many recent lawsuits have focused on drivers and passengers, this latest case shifts attention to the factory floor. Former safety supervisor Craig Thompson is suing Tesla Inc. after allegedly suffering severe injuries when unsecured Cybertruck components fell on him at the company’s Texas facility.
150 Pounds Came Crashing Down
According to the lawsuit, roughly 150 pounds of Cybertruck components slid off a moving transport cart and struck Thompson as he walked through Tesla’s Gigafactory in February 2024. Court filings claim the boxes were not strapped down and were visibly unstable. Thompson reportedly tried to warn the driver to slow down, but the driver didn’t notice him, and the load shifted before anything could be done. The impact caused a traumatic brain injury along with damage to his shoulder, spine, and knees, leaving him with lasting physical and cognitive limitations.
Production Over Protection
Large operations carry serious risks and require strict safety controls. The suit argues the incident was the result of poor safety protocols inside the plant. Pedestrian walkways were blocked or poorly marked, forcing workers to share space with industrial vehicles. Employees were also expected to yield to transport carts at all times, effectively prioritising production flow over human safety. Tesla now faces accusations of negligence and violations of federal workplace safety rules. Thompson was fired about a month after the incident, with the lawsuit claiming his injuries and reduced capacity played a role in his termination.
The Cybertruck’s Safety Spiral
First of all, we have to address the irony. When the Cybertruck first hit the roads, everyone was scared of how other vehicles would hold up against the bulletproof, near-7,000-lb tank – German safety inspectors appear to agree. And, of course, there are the infamous finger-jamming instances, too. Now, the Cybertruck harmed another person – without even being built.
This factory accident adds to a growing list of concerns tied to Tesla’s safety record. Apart from all the door handle and touchscreen lawsuits, the Model Y just ranked last for reliability among nearly new cars in Germany’s TÜV 2026 report, with 17.3% failing major safety inspections. Add the Cybertruck being a sales flop into the mix, and it seems like Tesla is really going through a tough time right now.
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