Shop technician claims age discrimination in suit against Fire Safety

A former Fire Safety, Inc. employee claims the company wrongly fired him because of his age and his physical disability.

Richard Ull filed a lawsuit June 1 in Madison County Circuit Court against Fire Safety.

Ull says he began working for the company in 1996 as a mobile shop technician and was fired on Jan. 18, 2008.

At the time of his termination, Ull was 55 and suffered from diabetes, according to the complaint.

Ull claims Fire Safety discriminated against, harassed and discharged him because of his age and because of his perceived physical disability. The company also retaliated against him because of his discrimination complaints, the suit states.

In addition, Fire Safety discriminated against Ull for his attempted use of health insurance for a new wife and child, the complaint says.

Because of his termination, Ull has suffered pain, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, humiliation, lost wages and lost benefits, according to the complaint.

He is seeking a judgment in excess of $50,000, plus costs, attorneys' fees and interest.

Thomas O. Falb of Williamson, Webster, Falb and Glisson in Alton will be representing him.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-554.