Original answer to former welder's gender discrimination suit filed

HOUSTON - A business that specializes in manufacturing cryogenic transportation equipment insists a former employee's sexual harassment lawsuit against it is unwarranted.

As previously reported, Dayton resident Delia Asson is suing Cryogenic Vessel Alternatives INOX/CVA for subjecting her to gender-related discrimination.

Asson, whom the defendant formally employed as a welder, claims her supervisors discriminated against her and the "unwelcomed" sexual language directed toward her escalated unabated.

The plaintiff adds the supposed stress from the job took an additional toll at home, however, she does not say whether she resigned or was terminated.

In an original answer filed Dec. 5, CVA counters that "adverse employment practices and decisions relating to the plaintiff, if any, were justified, based on reasonable factors other than age or gender, and were made for legitimate, nondiscriminatory, and nonretaliatory business reasons."

The eight-page document further shows the defendant's actions in question "are job-related and consistent with a business necessity," asserting it "has a widely-disseminated anti-discrimination policy which (Asson) unreasonably failed to follow."

"CVA’s actions were justified and privileged because such actions were taken in the exercise of CVA’s legal rights, or CVA’s good faith claim to a colorable legal right," according to the response.

Attorney W. Jackson Wisdom of Martin, Disiere, Jefferson & Wisdom L.L.P. in Houston is representing the respondent.

Case No. 4:13-CV-2652