Family of electrician killed at Tesla Gigafactory sues car maker

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The family of a man killed while working at a Tesla facility has brought a wrongful death lawsuit against the company, according to a Tuesday filing in Travis County courts.

The deceased man's name is Victor Gomez, and he was a husband and father to three minor children and three adult children. The lawsuit is brought by his widow and Gomez' adult children.

The Colorado River Project and Belcan Services Group, which Gomez worked for, are also named in the lawsuit.

Attorneys for the Gomez family claim that he was working as part of contruction at a Tesla facility called Gigafactory Texas. There, while inspecting electric panels prior to activation, Gomez was fatally electrocuted by an already energized panel.

"[He] was an invitee who entered Defendants’ premises with their knowledge and for their benefit," the lawsuit reads. "Defendants knew or should have known of the dangerous condition of their premises. Defendants had a duty to either warn [Gomez] of this unreasonably dangerous condition or make the unreasonably dangerous condition reasonably safe."

The complaint asks the court to issue an injunction against the defendants to prevent any changes or disposal of the killing panel. They also have requested access to the Gigafactory in order to have an electrical consultant inspect the scene.

However, the family's counsel has not heard from Tesla despite multiple attempts to contact, according to the filing.

KXAN has also reached out to Tesla for comment on the lawsuit. Typically, the Musk-owned company does not respond to media inquires, despite receiving nearly $3 billion in government subsidies.

The family has asked for a jury trial to rule on the case, and to award damages if deemed necessary.