Sha’don’s Law: Georgia Mother Seeks New Worker-Safety Protections

On March 19, 2025, 18-year-old Sha’don Gordon was cleaning a grill at a Whataburger in Buford, Georgia, when a faulty handle snapped and sent him backward into a metal table, striking the back of his head. Witnesses noted slurred speech and altered behavior. Gordon was sent home without a professional medical evaluation and later checked into a Hyatt hotel. Four days after the injury he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His mother, Olivia Fields, says she learned of the full circumstances only after her other son told her Gordon had confided about the workplace incident.

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Fields is sponsoring “Sha’don’s Law,” a bill that would require Georgia employers to take additional steps—such as immediate medical assessment—when an employee suffers a head injury on the job. The measure would apply to workers of all ages and impose fines of up to $25,000 for willful non-compliance. Democratic state Rep. Kim Schofield is expected to introduce the legislation when the General Assembly convenes in early 2027.

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Whataburger has not issued a public comment on Gordon’s death. The company provided Fields with $2,500 for funeral expenses and subsequently blocked further contact. Rep. Schofield declined an interview request regarding the bill.

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Research from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health indicates that individuals diagnosed with a concussion or mild traumatic brain injury have roughly twice the risk of suicide compared with those without such injuries. The study’s co-author emphasizes the importance of seeking medical attention for persistent symptoms.

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• “The manager asked him if he wanted to go to the hospital, but he said he was OK,” — Olivia Fields

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• “One of the witnesses that was sitting at the table with him while he waited for an Uber said his speech was slurred. You know, he wasn’t himself.” — Olivia Fields

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• “My other son said, ‘Mama, he’s talking like his third eye got woke,’ like when he hit his head, like something woke him. It was just too much impact on his brain,” — Olivia Fields

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• “The majority of people feel better within 1 to 2 weeks of experiencing a concussion. For anyone who has symptoms that last longer than this, or for anyone who notices a low mood or suicidal thoughts, it’s really important to seek medical attention,” — Michael Fralick, one of the researchers

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• “He was sent home to get rest for a few days and that was it. It was all made a joke of during this time,” — Olivia Fields

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