A deaf equipment technician has filed a lawsuit against Tesla, alleging the electric car giant fired him after he requested a transfer away from extreme factory heat that caused his hearing aids to fail.
The Case Against Tesla
Hans Kohls, a 36-year-old deaf technician, claims he was assigned to work in Tesla's Austin Gigafactory casting department where temperatures reached approximately 1,220°F during aluminium melting operations. According to legal documents obtained by The Independent, these extreme conditions caused his hearing aids to malfunction, making it impossible for him to hear crucial safety alarms and alerts.
Kohls, who had excelled in Tesla's intensive START training programme with a final grade of 95.7%, requested a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in June 2024. Rather than exploring alternative positions or safety measures, Tesla terminated his employment just nine days later, telling him he was being "medically separated" from the company.
A Pattern of Workplace Issues
The lawsuit contends that Tesla never properly explored accommodation options for Kohls, despite his proven success working in other, cooler departments within the same facility. Attorney Andrew Rozynski, representing Kohls, told The Independent: "The facts of this case are stark and troubling. Tesla had a highly qualified employee who requested the most basic accommodation under the ADA."
Kohls had previously worked successfully at GST America in similar industrial environments without issues. His complaint states that during his Tesla interview process, the company failed to disclose that the casting department's heat and humidity would "far exceed standard industrial heat levels" that could damage his hearing equipment.
Broader Implications for Disability Rights
This case emerges amid multiple lawsuits against Tesla regarding working conditions. The termination occurred while Kohls's wife was pregnant, resulting in the loss of their health insurance. The lawsuit alleges violations of both the ADA and Texas state labour code, seeking:
- Reinstatement to an appropriate position
- Back pay and lost benefits
- Compensatory and punitive damages
- Legal fees and court costs
Tesla has not yet filed a formal response to these allegations. The case highlights ongoing concerns about disability accommodation in high-tech manufacturing environments and could set important precedents for how companies handle similar situations in future.
