A tragic workplace fatality has occurred at the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) site in Bryan County, Georgia, on March 21, 2025. The incident took place at the battery plant currently under construction as part of a joint venture between Hyundai and LG Energy Solutions.
The worker, whose identity has not been publicly released, was reportedly struck by a forklift late Friday afternoon. Both Hyundai and LG Energy Solutions have issued statements expressing condolences and reaffirming their commitment to safety compliance during the ongoing review.
This is not the first serious incident at the construction project. In April 2023, another worker lost his life after falling from a height while helping to guide an I-beam into place.
Forklift-related fatalities often stem from a combination of operator error, lack of visibility due to blind spots, or poor coordination on crowded construction sites. In fast-moving environments like the Hyundai megasite, where heavy machinery, construction crews, and multiple subcontractors operate simultaneously, it’s easy for safety zones and communication protocols to break down. If the forklift was moving through an active work area without a spotter or clear line of sight, a collision could happen in seconds—especially if proper barriers or warning systems weren’t in place.
Another key issue could be training and certification. Forklifts seem simple to operate, but they require formal training and regular safety refreshers. If the operator wasn’t fully certified, or if safety checks were skipped to speed up work, that could directly contribute to a deadly incident. High-pressure environments like megasites often push timelines aggressively, and shortcuts—like putting an inexperienced operator behind the wheel—can have tragic consequences.
Oversight and coordination also play a major role. On large-scale projects involving multiple companies and crews, the responsibility for enforcing safety standards can become blurred. If site management doesn’t strictly enforce safety protocols across all contractors and subcontractors—or fails to assign clear safety accountability—preventable incidents can fall through the cracks. Inconsistent enforcement of traffic control, pedestrian walkways, or equipment maintenance can turn a forklift from a tool into a deadly hazard.
Legal Rights After a Workplace Fatality or Injury
Families who lose loved ones in workplace accidents are often left with unanswered questions, unexpected costs, and deep emotional wounds. In these situations, it’s critical to understand the legal options available. While workers’ compensation provides limited benefits, it may not be the only path. If negligence, unsafe conditions, or equipment failures contributed to the incident, families may have grounds for a wrongful death or third-party liability claim.
Tragically, there have been a number of recent deaths and injuries on construction projects. A worker was killed by a boom truck in Dickinson, Texas on December 17, 2024. Two workers were hit by a vehicle in Houston, Texas on January 16, 2025. There was a scaffolding collapse in downtown Houston, Texas on January 28, 2025. There was a deadly trench collapse at the Stoneriver Apartments in Houston, Texas on February 5, 2025. A worker was killed by a dirt compaction machine in Brownsville, Texas on February 12, 2025.
If you or a loved one has been affected by a serious workplace injury or fatality—especially at high-risk sites like industrial or construction zones—consulting with an experienced attorney is essential. A lawyer can help protect your rights, investigate the root cause, and pursue full compensation from all responsible parties. At Spagnoletti Law Firm, we represent injured workers and their families in complex industrial accident cases across the country. Call us at 713-804-9306 for a free, confidential case review.