Tesla Faces Disability Discrimination Lawsuit Over Technician’s Hearing Aids
A Tesla technician with hearing loss has filed a discrimination lawsuit against the company, alleging he was fired after requesting accommodation for his disability. Hans Kohls claims extreme heat in Tesla’s Texas Gigafactory casting department caused his hearing aids to malfunction, creating safety risks.
Key Takeaways
- Tesla technician Hans Kohls sued after being fired for requesting disability accommodation
- Extreme heat (1220°F) in casting department damaged his hearing aids
- Company terminated him 9 days after accommodation request despite good performance
- Lawsuit alleges violations of Americans with Disabilities Act and Texas labor law
The Safety Concern That Sparked the Lawsuit
Hans Kohls, who worked at Tesla’s Texas Gigafactory, was assigned to melt aluminum ingots at 1220 degrees Fahrenheit. The extreme heat conditions caused his hearing aids to malfunction, making it difficult to hear essential safety signals.
Kohls requested a transfer from the casting department, where temperatures “far exceed standard industrial heat levels.” According to the lawsuit obtained by The Independent, Tesla fired him instead of providing reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The legal filing claims Tesla “never explored whether alternative safety measures, such as visual alarms, vibrating alerts or buddy systems, could address any safety concern in the Casting Department.”
Legal Response and Allegations
Attorney Andrew Rozynski, representing Kohls, described the case as particularly troubling given his client’s qualifications and performance record.
“The facts of this case are stark and troubling. Tesla had a highly qualified employee who requested the most basic accommodation under the ADA, reassignment to a vacant position where he’d already demonstrated success. Instead of complying with the law, they fired him within nine days and told him he was being ‘medically separated.'”
Rozynski emphasized that Kohls had “outperformed his peers in Tesla’s own training program” and successfully worked in multiple departments before the casting assignment.
Employment History and Training
Kohls joined Tesla’s START program in February 2024, an internship preparing participants for equipment technician roles. Despite being deaf, he used hearing aids and had previous experience in industrial settings.
During his application and training, Kohls demonstrated he could receive safety signals through his hearing aids. The lawsuit states he performed well in cooler departments where his hearing aids functioned properly.
However, when placed in the casting department’s extreme heat, his hearing aids failed, leaving him unable to hear safety alerts. His June accommodation request was followed by termination just nine days later.
Aftermath and Legal Claims
Following his termination, Kohls and his pregnant wife lost their health insurance. The lawsuit alleges Tesla continued posting jobs but rejected Kohls for positions he applied to after his firing.
The legal action seeks either reinstatement or compensation for lost wages, benefits, emotional distress, and legal fees. Tesla has yet to file a formal response to the allegations.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about workplace accommodations and disability rights in manufacturing environments.
