Former Neuralink Employee Sues Company Alleging Exposure to Herpes Following Scratch by Infected Lab Monkey

Former Neuralink employee Lindsay Short has initiated a lawsuit against Elon Musk's neurotechnology company, alleging multiple grievances including workplace safety concerns and discrimination. Short, who joined Neuralink in August 2022, claims that the company failed to provide adequate protective equipment, resulting in her being scratched by monkeys infected with the Herpes B virus during her work duties.

The lawsuit, filed in California state court, details two incidents where Short was scratched by infected monkeys, one of which broke her skin and potentially exposed her to the virus.

The Herpes B virus primarily infects macaque monkeys but can spread to humans who come into direct contact with an infected monkey's bodily fluids, such as through bites or scratches. The viral infection can be severe, leading to symptoms ranging from mild flu-like illness to neurological complications such as encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), which can be fatal if not promptly treated.

Following the incident, Short claims that her supervisors threatened “severe repercussions” if she were to sustain another injury while at work.

Moreover, Short also alleges that she faced retaliation after informing Neuralink's human resources department of her pregnancy in June 2023. She claims that she opted to bypass her superiors and go straight to HR due to concerns that they held negative views about employees having children, which she felt could impact her career. The lawsuit details that her bosses had previously expressed sentiments that having kids "got in the way" of attaining career goals. Following disclosing her pregnancy, Short was reportedly terminated from her position at Neuralink the very next day.

The lawsuit seeks remedies for wrongful termination, retaliation, gender discrimination, and a hostile work environment.