Fire-Dex target of lawsuit after it fires employee with cancer-stricken wife

HOUSTON - After Fire-Dex LLC allegedly terminated him following his wife's cancer diagnosis, Harris County resident Robert Stuart pursues legal action.

Stuart filed suit against his former employer in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas on March 11.

Fire-Dex hired the plaintiff as its Houston-based regional sales manager in January 2006.

The suit explains that Stuart's wife was diagnosed with melanoma in 2009, stating the complainant notified the company about the medical situation but "never requested leave or missed a day of work."

Approximately three years later, however, physicians ran diagnostic tests on her and discovered "multiple, enlarged" lymph nodes which could result in leukemia.

Stuart attended a dinner in Medina, Ohio, last year in which he informed the defendant's owner about his wife's condition, the suit states.

The plaintiff adds he divulged to the company's national sales manager in a phone call afterwards that his wife was diagnosed with cancer.

A routine call was then scheduled, but on the day of the call, the owner fired Stuart, the suit says.

Court documents further show the plaintiff's spouse, a disabled U.S. Navy veteran, was compelled to seek cancer treatment at the Veterans Association Hospital in Houston because his health benefits through the respondent were terminated.

According to the original petition, the facility's cancer resources and services were inferior and limited in comparison to those of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Stuart consequently seeks unspecified monetary damages and a jury trial.

Attorney Jarrett L. Ellzey of Craft Hughes Law P.C. in Houston is representing the plaintiff.

Case No. 4:13-CV-675