In what might be a first for Texas, the family of a health care worker who died from COVID-19 has sued his employer for not providing personal protective equipment to prevent his infection.

Maurice Dotson, who died April 17, worked for 25 years as a certified nurse aide at the West Oaks Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Austin. His mother, Florence Dodson, has sued his employer, Regency IHS of West Oaks, alleging the company “put profits over the safety of its patients and staff.”