Tesla Faces $51 Million Lawsuit After Worker Injured by Robot, Stock Slides

Tesla's aggressive push into robotics has taken a costly turn. The electric vehicle giant faces a $51 million lawsuit from employee Peter Hinterdobler, who sustained severe injuries from a malfunctioning robot arm in 2023. The incident occurred during dismantling procedures when the equipment allegedly struck him with 8,000 pounds of force.

Medical costs have already exceeded $1 million, with an additional $6 million projected. The lawsuit seeks damages for physical pain, emotional distress, lost wages, and diminished earning capacity. Investors reacted swiftly—Tesla shares dropped over 3% following the news disclosure.

The case highlights growing scrutiny around industrial automation risks. While Tesla's Optimus humanoid robots promise transformative potential, this incident underscores the tangible liabilities of accelerated robotics deployment without failsafes.