Tesla has sued the family of an electrician who died at the Austin facility

The family of a Texas man who died while working at Tesla’s Austin-area facility last week is suing the electric vehicle company and his employer.

The lawsuit said the worker, Victor Joe Gomez Sr., was at the facility on Aug. 1 to inspect electrical panels before they were energized. But Gomez, an electrician, was unaware that a panel was already energized and upon inspection was “immediately electrocuted” and knocked unconscious.

The file said the man was transported from the scene by Austin-Travis County EMS to Dell Seton Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

The family is seeking more than $1 million in damages as part of the lawsuit, which was filed Aug. 6 in Travis County, Texas. The lawsuit also requires Tesla to preserve the panel, any surveillance footage and any other potential evidence related to the incident.

Tesla could not immediately be reached for comment. In addition to Tesla, the family also sued Colorado River Project LLC, a Tesla affiliate, and Belcan Services Group LP, the man’s employer.

The filing alleges the electrical panel “posed an unreasonable risk of injury” and the defendants knew or “reasonably should have known” of the dangerous condition and failed to warn Gomez.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration also said it was investigating the incident.

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