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A Tesla owner has filed a lawsuit against a man who was caught on video vandalizing his car. This marks the first lawsuit of its kind, seeking damages for emotional distress, mental anguish, lost wages, and property damage. The incident is part of a growing trend of vandalism targeting Tesla owners, possibly due to political reasons tied to Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s involvement with the Trump administration.
Key Highlights:
- The lawsuit was filed by Nachawati Law Group.
- The vandal was arrested after being caught on the Tesla’s security video.
- The lawsuit includes claims for emotional distress, mental anguish, lost wages, and property damage.
- The incident is part of a larger trend of vandalism against Tesla owners.
The lawsuit was filed on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, by trial lawyers with Dallas-based Nachawati Law Group. The incident took place on March 16, when the Tesla owner returned to the DFW International Airport parking lot and found a deep scratch on his Tesla Model X. The vandal, identified as Rafael H. Hernandez, was arrested after police reviewed the vehicle’s “sentry mode” security footage, which showed him using a car key to damage the car.
Majed Nachawati, founder of Nachawati Law Group, emphasized the importance of personal freedom in his statement: “America is a free country, and you are entitled to purchase a car free from vandalism, harassment, harm, or threats solely due to political beliefs.” He noted that the plaintiff bought the Tesla for its quality, not political reasons, and called the vandalism a “travesty of justice.”
This case reflects a broader wave of attacks on Tesla owners, possibly linked to public frustration over Elon Musk’s role in the Trump administration’s Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE). While U.S. Attorney Pam Bondi has promised strong action against such incidents, this Tarrant County lawsuit stands out as the first civil case filed by an individual Tesla owner. The plaintiff, who bought the car in 2022, used his initials in the filing to protect his privacy. The case, J.N. v Rafael Hernandez, Case No. 141-363070-25, is pending in Tarrant County District Court.
For more details about Nachawati Law Group, visit https://ntrial.com.
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