My 18-year-young son, Sha'don Antonio Gordon, suffered a workplace head injury at Whataburger on March 19, 2025 after a faulty grill handle, patched with temporary fixes instead of a real repair known by management, snapped while he was cleaning. He fell backward, forcefully striking the back of his head on a metal industrial table.

Even though he immediately informed management and the team lead his head and shoulder hurt:

No manager called 911

No medical treatment was provided

No emergency contact was notified

The injury was not properly documented

And he was simply sent home

Within days, he showed disturbing cognitive and emotional changes consistent with head trauma.

He asked for all of his money he'd been saving for a car stating he was leaving home yet had nowhere to go. When I asked him what was wrong he told me "I don't know."

We had no knowledge of the head injury. 

Four days after the injury, he died by suicide.

We have the store’s internal video footage, witness testimony, and evidence that the equipment had been serviced repeatedly. OSHA found no violation, but the equipment had already been repaired before their review.

We are calling for:

• A formal external investigation into this incident

• A review of Whataburger’s internal injury reporting practices

• A mandatory medical assessment for all head injuries at work

• Protection for employees who report unsafe conditions

• Accountability for disregarding proper injury protocols and failing to provide a safe, protective workplace.

Please sign and share.

We don’t want revenge.

We want change, so this never happens to another child.

“View the Full Legislative Proposal (Sha’don’s Law)” by clicking here